(By Fred Itua – ABUJA)

Hundreds of Abuja indigenous inhabitants, yesterday, stormed the National Assembly, demanding lawmakers’ immediate intervention in‎ their face-off with the Nigeria Army over seized plots of land.

The protesters carrying different placards with different inscriptions, arrived at the first gate of the National Assembly around 9am, about the same time lawmakers, aides and management staff arrive daily for to resume work.
The main entrance leading to the National Assembly was completely grounded by the protesters. The protesters have took over the entrance and exit points
Vehicular movements in and around the complex were brought to a total standstill. For several minutes, lawmakers who were in a hurry to meet up with the day’s plenary, were trapped in their cars.
Security agents attached to the Assembly in apparent move to stop the protesters from getting into the building, locked the entrance and exit gates. Some lawmakers eventually abandoned their vehicles and resorted to trekking in order to beat the long queue of vehicles.
Others who were unwilling to trek, joined another route leading to the complex through the Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation.
The protesters who were chanting protest songs, were calling on the Senate to prevail on the Nigerian Army to relinquish lands illegally seized from some of the farmers who are original inhabitants of the territory.
It eventually took the combined intervention of security agents to dispel the crowd. Nomalcy was restored to the area at about 11.30am