The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security, Hon. Garba Muhammad, has disclosed that the National Assembly has received terrorist threats to bomb the legislative complex, sparking serious security concerns among lawmakers, staff, and visitors.
Muhammad made the revelation on Monday during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish the Legislative Security Directorate, an initiative designed to strengthen internal security management within the National Assembly.
According to him, the nation’s foremost legislative complex, widely regarded as the seat of Nigeria’s democracy, has been facing rising security challenges, including theft of cars and motorcycles, vandalism, the use of fake identification cards, and infiltration by unregistered visitors.
“We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly complex and threats from protesters to lock up the National Assembly,” Muhammad said.
“Legislators are exposed to threats from constituents and others who gain easy access into their offices without any formal appointment.”
The lawmaker warned that the current lapses in security could lead to major disruptions in legislative operations, with far-reaching implications for governance and national stability.
“It is obvious that with the ongoing security challenges, if proper measures are not taken, it will truncate legislative activities in the National Assembly,” he cautioned.
“If activities are thwarted, there will be no representation, no oversight, no annual budget, no plenary at all, and that will destabilise legislative procedure, democracy, and the stability of the nation.”
Muhammad stressed the need for a holistic and coordinated approach to legislative security, noting that the proposed bill aims to adopt international best practices in parliamentary safety and crisis management.
He further stated that while the National Assembly must remain open and accessible to the public as a symbol of democracy, security cannot be compromised.
“The need for effective security measures in the National Assembly cannot be overemphasised because Parliament has to remain accessible to the public. However, this bill is committed to ensuring the best security architecture in the National Assembly to protect legislators, staff, visitors, and property,” he said.
Muhammad also urged state Houses of Assembly across the country to replicate similar security frameworks to enhance the safety of legislative institutions nationwide.
He called for collective support for the Legislative Security Directorate Bill, describing it as a critical step toward protecting Nigeria’s democratic institutions and ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of the legislature.
