•House of Representatives
The House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security today raised the alarm over alleged threats by terrorists to bomb the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, prompting calls for urgent strengthening of the legislature’s internal security architecture.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Garba Ibrahim Muhammad, disclosed at a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish a Legislative Security Directorate for the National Assembly, reports Daily Independent.
He said the institution had recently been inundated with disturbing security threats, including intelligence suggesting plans to bomb the complex.
He added that some protesters had also threatened to “lock up” the Assembly during demonstrations.
According to him, security lapses within the complex had become increasingly worrisome, citing cases of motorcycle and vehicle theft, vandalism of property, infiltration by unauthorised persons, and the circulation of forged identity cards.
He expressed concern that the porous nature of the complex had exposed lawmakers, staff and visitors to avoidable risks.
“If activities are thwarted, there will be no representation, no oversight, no annual budget, no plenary at all,” he warned, noting that such disruption would destabilise legislative procedure, undermine democracy and threaten national stability.
The proposed bill, tagged A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment and Functions of the Legislative Security Directorate in the National Assembly (HB 1632), seeks to introduce global best practices in parliamentary security. It is expected to formalise access control measures, improve accreditation procedures, strengthen surveillance systems, and enhance cooperation with relevant security agencies.
Muhammad emphasised that while the National Assembly must remain accessible to members of the public, robust mechanisms were needed to ensure safety without hindering democratic participation.
He urged state Houses of Assembly across the federation to emulate the initiative in view of rising security challenges nationwide.
The bill is currently at the committee stage and will undergo further legislative processes before passage. If approved, the Directorate will oversee the security of lawmakers, staff, visitors, and critical infrastructure within the complex.
Stakeholders at the hearing pledged support for measures aimed at safeguarding the nation’s legislative institution amid escalating threats across the country.
