By Peter Omopo
The House of Representatives on Tuesday raised the alarm over a reported terrorist threat to bomb the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, calling for immediate and comprehensive fortification of the nation’s legislative seat.
Chairman of the House Committee on Internal Security, Hon. Garba Muhammad, made the disclosure during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish the Legislative Security Directorate, designed to enhance security management and safeguard lawmakers, staff, and visitors to the parliament.
According to Muhammad, intelligence reports indicate that both terrorist groups and some protesters have issued threats to either bomb or barricade the National Assembly, raising fresh concerns about the safety of the complex and its occupants.
“We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly Complex and threats from protesters to lock up the National Assembly,” he said. “Legislators are also exposed to harassment from constituents and individuals who gain easy access to their offices without formal appointments.”
He warned that any security breach could cripple legislative operations and threaten Nigeria’s democratic process.
“If proper measures are not taken, it will truncate legislative activities. Without representation, oversight, or annual budgeting, the system will be destabilised — and so will democracy itself,” he cautioned.
Muhammad, who represents Kano State, highlighted ongoing security lapses within the complex, including car and motorcycle theft, vandalism, use of fake identity cards, and infiltration by unregistered visitors.
He said the proposed Legislative Security Directorate Bill would provide a coordinated and professional framework for managing security within the National Assembly, adopting global best practices for parliamentary protection.
“The need for effective security measures in the National Assembly cannot be overemphasised. While parliament must remain accessible to the public, this bill seeks to ensure a secure environment for lawmakers, staff, visitors, and property,” he added.
The lawmaker also urged State Houses of Assembly to strengthen security across their respective complexes, noting that threats to democratic institutions at the national level often trickle down to the states.
He appealed for stakeholder support to ensure the swift passage of the bill, describing it as a “major step toward safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic institutions.”
The development comes amid renewed security concerns in Abuja. In May 2021, a similar alert warned of a planned Boko Haram attack on the National Assembly and other key government sites, prompting tighter access controls and vehicle checks that caused significant congestion at the gates.
At the time, lawmakers were advised to use the presidential gate for safer entry, while security agencies intensified surveillance around the Three Arms Zone.
Muhammad concluded by expressing optimism that the new security framework, if passed, would “bring a turnaround in the National Assembly’s security architecture” and help preserve the sanctity of Nigeria’s democracy.
