Nigeria’s House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security has revealed that terrorist groups have issued direct threats to bomb the National Assembly complex, heightening concerns over the safety of lawmakers and staff.
Chairman of the Committee, Garba Muhammad, disclosed this on Tuesday during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish a Legislative Security Directorate to strengthen security within the parliamentary complex.
Muhammad said the National Assembly had in recent months faced a surge in security breaches, including car and motorcycle thefts, vandalism, and infiltration by individuals using fake identification cards. He warned that the threats, if not swiftly contained, could jeopardize legislative activities and endanger Nigeria’s democratic stability.
“We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly complex and from protesters threatening to lock it down,” Muhammad stated. “Legislators are increasingly exposed to risks from constituents and unauthorized persons who gain access to their offices without formal appointments.”
He cautioned that continued lapses could halt essential national functions such as representation, oversight, budgeting, and plenary sessions.
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The proposed bill (HB 1632) seeks to create a Legislative Security Directorate to professionalize and coordinate all security operations in the Assembly, including setting qualifications and service conditions for the Sergeant-at-Arms and other security personnel.
Muhammad explained that the Directorate would adopt global best practices to ensure both accessibility and safety within the legislature. “This bill is crucial because it introduces a comprehensive approach to managing parliamentary security in line with world standards,” he said.
