The House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security has revealed that it has received threats from terrorist groups to bomb the National Assembly complex.
Gatekeepers News reports that Garba Muhammad, chairman of the committee, disclosed this on Tuesday during a public hearing on a proposed bill to establish the Legislative Security Directorate — a body that would define the qualifications and service conditions for sergeants-at-arms and other security personnel within the assembly.
Muhammad said, “Security is very crucial to all arms of government, especially to the legislative arm, because it is an institution where legislators, staff, the executive, judiciary, individuals, organisations, and protesters troop in daily to pursue various interests.”
The committee chairman noted that the massive daily influx of people into the parliament has made it vulnerable to infiltration by criminals who take advantage of the situation.
He said, “The National Assembly is going through a lot of security challenges. We have experienced car and motorcycle thefts, vandalism, fake identity cards, and unauthorized access by unregistered visitors.”
“There are even cases of petty trading within the premises, giving the complex the appearance of a small market.”
“We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly complex and threats from protesters to lock up the premises. Legislators are exposed to danger from constituents and others who enter offices without proper appointments.”
Muhammad warned that if urgent measures are not taken to strengthen security, legislative activities could be disrupted.
He said, “If such threats succeed, there will be no representation, no oversight, no budget sessions, and no plenary sittings — which would destabilise democracy and governance in Nigeria.”
He stressed the need for a coordinated and comprehensive approach to managing security within the legislature, noting that the proposed bill seeks to align the National Assembly’s security framework with international best practices.
Muhammad added that similar stringent security measures should be adopted by all state houses of assembly across the country.
