The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security, Hon. Garba Ibrahim Muhammad, has revealed that terrorists have threatened to bomb the National Assembly Complex.
He said this highlights the urgent need to strengthen security around the country’s top legislative institution.
Hon. Garba made this known on Tuesday during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish the Legislative Security Directorate.
The proposed body would help manage security and protect lawmakers, staff, and visitors within the National Assembly.
According to him, the National Assembly, the seat of Nigeria’s democracy, has continued to face several security challenges, including car and motorcycle theft, vandalism, fake identity cards, and infiltration by unauthorized visitors.
“We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly Complex, and also threats from protesters to lock it up,” he said.
The lawmaker added that legislators are often at risk from individuals who gain access to their offices without proper appointments.
He warned that if these security lapses are not addressed, legislative work could be disrupted, which would have serious consequences for governance and democracy.
“If we fail to take the right measures, it could halt all legislative activities no representation, no oversight, no budget, and no plenary. That will destabilize the National Assembly and our democracy,” he cautioned.
Hon. Garba stressed the importance of a coordinated and modern approach to managing security in the parliament.
“That is why this bill is important. It will help us adopt global best practices for securing the National Assembly,” he said.
While emphasizing that the National Assembly must remain open to the public to uphold democracy, he insisted that security must not be compromised.
“The National Assembly must be accessible to citizens, but we must also protect lawmakers, staff, visitors, and property through an effective security system,” he added.
Hon. Garba also encouraged state Houses of Assembly to adopt similar frameworks to improve security across all legislative institutions in Nigeria.
The public hearing on the bill titled “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment and Functions of the Legislative Security Directorate in the National Assembly (HB 1632)” took place at the House of Representatives Conference Hall 028 in Abuja.
He concluded by urging collective support for the passage of the bill, describing it as a crucial step toward protecting Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“With these few words, I hope this hearing leads to a major improvement in the National Assembly’s security system,” he said.
