The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security, Hon. Garba Muhammad, has revealed that the National Assembly has received threats from terrorists to bomb the complex, sparking urgent calls for tighter security within Nigeria’s highest legislative institution.
Muhammad made the disclosure yesterday during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish the Legislative Security Directorate, designed to enhance security management and safeguard lawmakers, staff, and visitors to the Assembly.
According to him, the seat of Nigeria’s democracy has increasingly faced severe security challenges, including car and motorcycle theft, vandalism, fake identity cards, and unauthorized entry by unregistered visitors.
“We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly complex and threats from protesters to lock it up,” 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 failure to address these lapses could cripple legislative activities, with dire implications for governance and democracy.
“If proper measures are not taken, it could truncate legislative activities. If activities are thwarted, there will be no representation, no oversight, no annual budget, no plenary at all — and that will destabilize our democracy,” he cautioned.
Muhammad stressed that effective security management required a holistic and coordinated approach, integrating various strategies to secure the environment and ensure smooth legislative operations.
He emphasized that while the National Assembly must remain accessible to the public to uphold democratic values, security must never be compromised.
“This bill is very important. It seeks to adopt world best practices of parliamentary security procedures and architecture,” he explained.
The lawmaker also urged state Houses of Assembly across the country to emulate the initiative, ensuring comprehensive legislative security nationwide.
He called for collective support toward the passage of the bill, describing it as a significant step in safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Comments