The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security, Garba Muhammad, has revealed that the National Assembly has received threats from terrorists to bomb the complex, raising serious concerns over the safety of lawmakers, staff, and visitors.
Muhammad disclosed this on Monday during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish the Legislative Security Directorate, aimed at enhancing security management within the National Assembly.
According to him, the legislative complex — regarded as the seat of Nigeria’s democracy — has increasingly faced growing security challenges, including cases of car and motorcycle theft, vandalism, fake identity 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 stated.
“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 the lapses could lead to serious disruptions in legislative operations, with dire consequences 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 system, and our nation at large.”
Muhammad emphasized the need for a holistic and coordinated approach to security management, integrating multiple strategies to safeguard the legislative environment and ensure lawmakers can perform their duties effectively.
“That is why this bill is very important. It seeks to address all the challenges as aforesaid and adopt world best practices of parliamentary security procedures and architecture,” he explained.
He further noted that while the National Assembly must remain accessible to the public in line with democratic ideals, security must not 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 federation to adopt similar initiatives to strengthen legislative security nationwide.
He called for collective support for the passage of the bill, describing it as a major step toward protecting Nigeria’s democratic institutions and ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of the legislature.