By Abbah Mahmud

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security, Hon. Garba Muhammad, has revealed that the National Assembly recently received threats from terrorists to bomb the complex, stressing the urgent need to fortify security within Nigeria’s apex legislative institution.

Speaking during a public hearing on a bill to establish the Legislative Security Directorate, which seeks to enhance security management and protect lawmakers, staff, and visitors, Muhammad disclosed that the National Assembly has been grappling with growing security challenges. These, he said, include car and motorcycle theft, vandalism, fake identity cards, and infiltration by unauthorized persons.

“We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly complex and threats from protesters to lock up the premises,” Muhammad stated. “Legislators also face threats from constituents and others who gain easy access to their offices without proper appointments.”

He warned that failure to urgently address these threats could severely disrupt legislative operations, with far-reaching consequences for governance and democracy.

“If these challenges persist, they could halt legislative activities in the National Assembly. Without legislative operations, there will be no representation, no oversight, no annual budget, and no plenary sessions. Such a situation will destabilize the democratic process and threaten national stability,” he cautioned.

Muhammad stressed that effective security management within the National Assembly requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach, combining multiple strategies to ensure a safe environment for parliamentary functions.

“This bill is crucial because it addresses the current lapses and adopts global best practices for parliamentary security architecture,” he explained.

While emphasizing that the National Assembly must remain open to the public to uphold democratic principles, the lawmaker underscored that accessibility must not compromise safety.

“The need for robust security in the National Assembly cannot be overemphasized. Parliament must be accessible, but it must also be secure. This bill is designed to ensure the best security framework for legislators, staff, visitors, and property,” Muhammad said.

He also urged state Houses of Assembly across the country to replicate similar security structures to ensure uniform legislative safety nationwide.

The lawmaker called for collective commitment to the speedy passage of the bill, describing it as a vital step toward safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic institutions from emerging threats.