PHOTO:Protesters Shut Down National Assembly Over "Unlawful" Sack

Activities at the National Assembly in Abuja are currently paralyzed as disengaged staff of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) protest their sack.

The aggrieved workers, who stormed the premises of the Assembly in hundreds as early as 6.00am, barricaded the road to the complex, chanting anti-government songs and raining curses and abuses on the Senators and Members House of Representatives for insensitivity to their plight.

They accused the lawmakers of being biased in the face-off and of failing to do anything to assist them in getting their benefits and entitlements from the management of the NIMC, and vowed to remain at the gates of the National Assembly until their demands were met.

The protest took a dramatic turn when the protesters also started attacking journalists who came to cover the protest, accusing them of bias in their reporting on the matter.

As of time of this story, the protesters were still not allowing vehicles into or out of the complex, leaving members of the staff to walk long distances.

Over 4,000 staff of the NIMC was sacked last year, but their severance allowances and other entitlements were not paid.