The House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security has disclosed that the National Assembly has been targeted with threats from terrorists threatening to attack the complex. The revelation has renewed calls for urgent measures to strengthen security around the country’s top legislative institution.
Committee Chairman Garba Muhammad made the disclosure during a public hearing on a bill seeking to create a Legislative Security Directorate. The proposed body would oversee security strategies and safeguard lawmakers, staff, and visitors within the National Assembly.
According to Muhammad, the federal legislature has been experiencing increasing security risks, including vehicle theft, vandalism, unauthorized access through fake identification cards, and infiltration by unregistered visitors.
“We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly complex, as well as threats from protesters to shut down parliamentary activities,” he said. “Members are also exposed to risks from constituents who can access their offices freely without scheduled appointments.”
He warned that failure to address these vulnerabilities could severely disrupt legislative functions and pose grave risks to democratic governance.
“With the current security situation, if thorough measures are not implemented, legislative operations may be halted,” Muhammad cautioned. “This would mean no representation, no oversight, no budget passage, and no plenary sessions. That would undermine democracy, jeopardize the stability of the institution, and endanger the nation as a whole.”
He emphasized that modern security management requires an integrated and coordinated system capable of ensuring safety while supporting the smooth execution of legislative duties.
Muhammad added that the proposed bill aims to align the National Assembly’s security framework with global parliamentary security standards.
He also stressed the need to balance public access to the Parliament with effective protective measures. “Parliament must remain open to citizens, but we cannot compromise on security,” he said.
The lawmaker urged state legislatures to adopt similar initiatives to guarantee uniform security standards across the country. He called for full support to ensure swift passage of the bill, describing it as an essential step toward protecting Nigeria’s democratic structures.
