Abuja — A Member of the House of Representatives, Rep Chinyere Igwe (PDP, Rivers State) allegedly slapped a Sergeant-at-Arms who demanded for his identity before he would be allowed into the National Assembly Complex.

The incident, according to witnesses, happened in the morning when the lawmaker arrived at the complex, and the Sergeant-at-Arms, Mr Chinelo Nwaolo, stopped him and requested for his staff identification card.

Rep Igwe, witnesses said, felt it was an affront for the Sergeant-at-Arms to  do that and allegedly grabbed him by the collar of shirt and slapped him twice.

It took the intervention of another lawmaker from Kogi State and other security operatives stationed at the main entrance to rescue Mr. Nwaolo.

A witness said Igwe was detained by the Sergeant-at-Arms of the National Assembly retired Colonel Emeka Okere, but was released shortly after.

The Rivers State-born Lawmaker was dressed in a light-brown short-sleeved shirt with beige slacks.

Although Igwe did not grant an interview on the incidence, he was however overheard telling some of his colleagues that his victim did not allow him to gain entrance in the complex, even after other security people had identified him as a member of the House.

Rep. Abdul Ningi, Chairman of the House Chairman Committee on Police Affairs, took a dim view of the incident and said the case would be referred to the Speaker for necessary action.

Igwe risks being referred to the House of Representatives' Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

Colonel Okere later told newsmen that he had petitioned the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole pointing out that he would not let the matter to be swept under the carpet.

"I have petitioned the Speaker of the House of Representatives. In every society, there are laws and the Member is a lawmaker who ought to know the importance of security, particularly at this period where we have received threats.

"The threat against the National Assembly is real, that is why we have to devise new security measures, and part of the measure was the production of valid ID cards before you gain entrance into the National Assembly," Okere stated.