Terror Threat to Bomb National Assembly, Reps Demand Security Overhaul

A threat by terrorists to bomb the National Assembly complex, among other security concerns, has prompted lawmakers to push for the creation of a Legislative Security Directorate to strengthen safety within the parliament.

Chairman of the House Committee on Internal Security, Garba Muhammad, raised the concern in Abuja during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish the directorate and define the roles of the Sergeant-at-Arms and other security personnel.

Muhammad told participants that the parliament has become increasingly vulnerable to security breaches due to the daily influx of people into the complex, including lawmakers, staff, visitors, and protesters.

“The National Assembly is going through a lot of security challenges. “We have experienced car and motorcycle thefts, vandalism, fake identity cards, and unwanted visitors accessing the complex without documentation. We have also received threats by terrorists to bomb the complex and by protesters to lock up the National Assembly.”

He warned that if insecurity within the legislature is not tackled urgently, it could cripple parliamentary operations and undermine Nigeria’s democratic stability.

“If legislative activities are thwarted, there will be no representation, no oversight, no budget, and no plenary. That would destabilize democracy and the system as a whole,” he said.

“The proposed Legislative Security Directorate Bill (HB 1632) seeks to professionalize internal security management within the National Assembly, provide clear conditions of service for security personnel, and align Nigeria’s parliamentary security with international standards.”

According to Muhammad, the directorate would coordinate the work of the Sergeant-at-Arms and security agencies, develop access control protocols, and deploy modern surveillance systems to monitor movements within the complex.

He stressed that effective security management in a democratic institution must balance safety with public accessibility.

“Parliament must remain open to citizens while being secure enough to protect lawmakers, staff, and property,” he said.

Muhammad also urged state assemblies to adopt similar security frameworks, emphasizing that threats to democratic institutions require a coordinated, nationwide response.

“This bill represents a major step toward building a secure and functional legislative environment that supports transparency and public engagement,” he said, calling for collective support from stakeholders.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji