Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested and detained two members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Lanre Afinni and Sylvester Ogunkelu, at their office in Magodo, Lagos, on Wednesday.
A source within the Assembly, who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, revealed that the lawmakers are being interrogated in connection with the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker.
Obasa was ousted as Speaker by 35 members of the Assembly on January 13, and was replaced by the former Deputy Speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
In a show of solidarity, Deputy Speaker Mojeed Fatai and other lawmakers visited the DSS office in an attempt to secure the release of their detained colleagues.
In the meantime, the Concerned Citizens of Lagos, a socio-political group, condemned the alleged efforts to undermine democracy in the state.
In a statement issued by group representative Murphy Ajibola, they expressed concern over the detention of Assembly members.
The statement read, “These actions seem to be part of a broader strategy to pressure the Assembly into reversing the removal of the former Speaker.
“This orchestrated campaign against elected officials is not only an attack on individuals but an assault on democracy. The Legislature’s role is to check executive power and represent the people. When lawmakers are intimidated or arrested under questionable circumstances, democracy is at risk.”
