The House of Representatives has raised alarm over fresh terrorist threats to bomb the National Assembly complex in Abuja. The Chairman of the House Committee on Internal Security, Hon. Garba Muhammad, disclosed this on Monday during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish the Legislative Security Directorate.
Garba said the threats, coupled with recent security breaches at the complex, have made it urgent to strengthen protection for lawmakers, staff, and visitors to the nation’s parliament.
According to him, the National Assembly complex has recently faced several security challenges, including car and motorcycle theft, vandalism, the use of 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 National Assembly,” Garba said.
“Legislators are exposed to threats from constituents and others who gain easy access to their offices without any formal appointment. It is obvious that with the ongoing security challenges, if proper measures are not taken, it will truncate legislative activities in the National Assembly,” he warned.
The lawmaker added that any disruption of activities in the legislature could endanger Nigeria’s democratic system.
“If activities are thwarted, there will be no representation, no oversight, no annual budget, no plenary at all — and that will destabilise legislative procedure, democracy, and the stability of the system, and our nation at large,” he said.
This is not the first time the National Assembly has come under threat. In May 2021, lawmakers were placed on high alert after intelligence reports warned of a possible Boko Haram attack on the complex and other key government buildings in Abuja. Following the alert, the National Assembly restricted movement within its premises and urged members to reduce physical visits for safety reasons.
Despite these measures, concerns have persisted about the vulnerability of the National Assembly complex, which is located in the high-security Three Arms Zone that also houses the Presidential Villa and the Supreme Court.
The bill under consideration seeks to create a Legislative Security Directorate, a dedicated body that will handle the safety of the National Assembly, similar to how the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies protect critical institutions.
The proposed directorate would be responsible for screening visitors, managing security intelligence within the complex, coordinating emergency response, and training personnel to deal with threats specific to the legislature.
Supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary given the increasing security risks across the country, including attacks on government buildings, police formations, and correctional centres.
Nigeria has faced a wave of insecurity in recent years, ranging from terrorist attacks in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and kidnapping in various parts of the country. Even the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has not been spared, with reports of attacks and abductions in nearby communities.
Lawmakers at the hearing agreed that there was an urgent need to fortify the National Assembly complex and improve coordination with security agencies. They also called for tighter access control, better surveillance systems, and regular security drills for staff and members.
Several lawmakers urged the Federal Government to treat the threats seriously and ensure that the legislature — a key pillar of democracy is not left vulnerable.
Hon. Garba Muhammad concluded by stressing that preventing a crisis was better than managing one after it happens.
“We must act now. The National Assembly is the symbol of our democracy. If its security is compromised, the entire system will be at risk,” he said.