Abuja—The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security, Garba Muhammad, has revealed that the National Assembly received threats from terrorists to bomb the complex, calling for urgent steps to strengthen security within the country’s highest legislative institution.
Speaking at a public hearing on a bill to establish the Legislative Security Directorate, Muhammad said the National Assembly had been facing serious security challenges, including 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 Assembly,” he said, adding that lawmakers were increasingly exposed to threats from constituents and others who gain easy access without appointments.
He warned that failure to address these lapses could disrupt legislative operations and have grave implications for governance and democracy. According to him, if security measures are not strengthened, “there will be no representation, no oversight, no budget, no plenary — and that will destabilise the entire system.”
Muhammad said the proposed bill would help adopt global best practices in parliamentary security and ensure a coordinated approach to protect lawmakers, staff, and visitors. He stressed that while the National Assembly must remain open to the public, security should not be compromised.
He also urged state Houses of Assembly to adopt similar measures to safeguard legislative institutions across the country, describing the bill as a major step toward securing Nigeria’s democracy.