The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security, Hon. Garba Ibrahim Muhammad, has revealed that terrorists have issued threats to bomb the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
Naija News reports that the shocking disclosure came on Tuesday during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish a Legislative Security Directorate, aimed at improving security management and protecting lawmakers, staff, and visitors within the National Assembly.
“We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly Complex and threats from protesters to lock up the National Assembly,” Garba stated.
The lawmaker warned that the legislature—Nigeria’s seat of democracy—remains increasingly vulnerable to security risks, including car and motorcycle theft, vandalism, infiltration by unregistered visitors, and the use of fake identity cards.
He expressed concern that if urgent measures are not taken, legislative activities could be disrupted, leading to serious consequences for governance and democracy.
“It is obvious that with the ongoing security challenges, if proper measures are not taken, it will truncate legislative activities in the National Assembly. If activities are thwarted, there will be no representation, no oversight, no annual budget, no plenary at all, and that will destabilize legislative procedure, democracy, and the nation at large,” he cautioned.
Garba emphasized the need for a coordinated and modern security system to protect the National Assembly, saying that the proposed Legislative Security Directorate Bill (HB 1632) would help align Nigeria’s parliamentary security structure with global best practices.
“That is why this Bill is very important. It seeks to address all these challenges and adopt world best practices in parliamentary security procedures and architecture,” he explained.
The bill was presented at Conference Hall 028 of the House of Representatives in Abuja, with lawmakers, security experts, and stakeholders in attendance.
While stressing that the National Assembly must remain open to the public as a democratic institution, Garba maintained that access should not compromise safety.
“The need for effective security measures in the National Assembly cannot be overemphasized because Parliament has to remain accessible to the public. However, this Bill is committed to ensuring the best security architecture to protect legislators, staff, visitors, and property,” he said.
He also urged state Houses of Assembly across the country to replicate similar frameworks to improve security at the sub-national level.
“With these few points of mine, I wish us a peaceful and fruitful hearing that will ultimately bring a turnaround in the National Assembly’s security architecture,” Garba concluded.
