The Chairman of the House Committee on Internal Security, Garba Muhammad, has revealed that terrorists have issued fresh threats to bomb the National Assembly complex in Abuja. He warned that urgent action must be taken to fortify the edifice housing Nigeria’s federal legislature to prevent a possible attack.
Key Highlights:
– Lawmakers receive terrorist threats to bomb National Assembly complex
– Protesters also threaten to lock down the parliament
– Security breaches reported, including vandalism and fake IDs
– Bill seeks to create a Legislative Security Directorate
– Experts call for stronger protection of national assets
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Speaking during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish the Legislative Security Directorate, Muhammad said the measure would strengthen security management and safeguard lawmakers, staff, and visitors within the complex.
He explained that the National Assembly has become increasingly vulnerable to security breaches, including vehicle theft, vandalism, and infiltration by individuals with fake identity cards.
According to him, “We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly Complex and threats from protesters to lock up the National Assembly. Legislators are exposed to threats from constituents and others who gain easy access to their offices without any formal appointment.”
The lawmaker from Kano warned that if the threats were not addressed, they could disrupt legislative activities and destabilise Nigeria’s democracy. “If activities are thwarted, there will be no representation, no oversight, no annual budget, no plenary at all and that will destabilise our democratic system,” he said.
Muhammad stressed the importance of adopting a multi-layered and coordinated approach to security within the parliament, noting that the proposed directorate would bring Nigeria’s legislative security architecture in line with global best practices.
He added that while the National Assembly must remain accessible to the public, effective security systems must be prioritised to protect lives and property.
The lawmaker also urged state assemblies across the federation to fortify their complexes, warning that similar threats could target legislative institutions nationwide.
A similar alert in May 2021 warned of a planned Boko Haram attack on the National Assembly and other high-profile government locations in Abuja. In response, authorities heightened security checks, causing heavy traffic congestion at the complex gates.
Muhammad appealed to stakeholders to support the speedy passage of the security bill, describing it as crucial to defending Nigeria’s democratic institutions against terrorism and internal unrest.
