Reps raise alarm over terrorist threats to bomb National Assembly
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security, Garba Muhammad, has revealed that the National Assembly (NASS) has received threats from terrorists to bomb the complex.
This alarming disclosure was made during a public hearing on a bill aimed at establishing a Legislative Security Directorate to urgently strengthen security at the nation’s highest legislative institution.
Muhammad on Tuesday, October 28 stressed that Nigeria’s seat of democracy is facing increasingly serious security challenges, ranging from petty crimes like car and motorcycle theft and vandalism to more severe threats that jeopardize national stability.
The Chairman explicitly warned of the nature of the threats, stating, “We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly complex…” and further citing “threats from protesters to lock up the National Assembly.” B
Beyond these large-scale threats, Muhammad also noted the high risk of infiltration, explaining that lawmakers are exposed to threats from constituents and others who gain “easy access into their offices without any formal appointment,” alongside problems like fake identity cards and infiltration by unregistered visitors.
Muhammad cautioned that failure to address these urgent security lapses could have severe implications for democracy and governance in Nigeria.
He stated that if legislative activities were “thwarted,” the foundation of the system would be destabilized, explaining: “If activities are thwarted, there will be no representation, no oversight, no annual budget, no plenary at all — and that will destabilise legislative procedure, democracy, and the stability of the system, and our nation at large.”
The proposed bill to establish the Legislative Security Directorate seeks to address these challenges by adopting “world best practices of parliamentary security procedures and architecture.”
Muhammad emphasized that while Parliament must remain accessible to the public to uphold democratic values, security cannot be compromised, and he urged state Houses of Assembly to adopt similar initiatives to ensure comprehensive legislative security nationwide.
