National Assembly security threat sparks concern as lawmakers reveal terrorist plots to bomb the complex and urge stronger security measures
National Assembly security threat has become a matter of grave concern after lawmakers disclosed intelligence reports warning of a possible terrorist plot to bomb the legislative complex in Abuja.
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Speaking at a public hearing on Tuesday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Internal Security, Garba Ibrahim Muhammad, said the National Assembly has increasingly become a target for criminal and terrorist attacks.
The session, held at the National Assembly complex, was convened to deliberate on a proposed bill seeking to establish the Legislative Security Directorate.
Muhammad revealed that recent intelligence reports indicated mounting security threats, including potential attacks on the Assembly complex.
He noted that the high volume of daily visitors — from lobbyists to demonstrators — has turned the complex into a vulnerable target.
“The National Assembly is going through a lot of security challenges,” Muhammad said. “We have experienced car and motorcycle thefts, vandalism, fake identity cards, and unauthorised access by visitors.
We’ve even received threats from terrorists to bomb the complex and from protesters threatening to lock up the Assembly.”
He added that such developments pose a serious risk to legislative operations and could destabilise the democratic process if not urgently addressed.
“It is obvious that with the ongoing security challenges, if proper measures are not taken, it will truncate legislative activities.
Without security, there will be no representation, no oversight, no annual budget, no plenary, and this will undermine democracy and national stability,” he cautioned.
The proposed Legislative Security Directorate Bill (HB 1632) seeks to create a specialised internal security agency within the National Assembly to handle intelligence gathering, threat response, and access control.
The legislation also outlines the qualifications and duties of the Sergeant-at-Arms and other security personnel.
Muhammad emphasised that effective security management demands a holistic and integrated approach, aligning with global best practices for parliamentary security.
He further urged state Houses of Assembly to adopt similar frameworks to protect their legislative environments.
“The National Assembly must lead by example. This Bill is crucial to ensuring that our legislative spaces are secure, functional, and resilient against emerging threats,” he said.
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As security concerns mount, lawmakers are now rallying behind the Bill, describing it as a necessary safeguard for Nigeria’s democracy amid growing national insecurity.
