Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have raised serious concerns over alleged threats by terrorist groups to bomb the National Assembly Complex in Abuja — a plot they warn could paralyse legislative operations and endanger Nigeria’s democracy if not urgently addressed.
The revelation was made on Tuesday by Hon. Garba Muhammad, Chairman of the House Committee on Internal Security, during a public hearing on a proposed bill seeking to establish the Legislative Security Directorate (LSD) — a new agency that would oversee and coordinate all security operations within the National Assembly.
According to Muhammad, recent intelligence reports indicate that terrorist organisations are plotting to carry out coordinated attacks on the legislative complex.
“We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly Complex and threats from protesters to lock up the National Assembly,” the lawmaker disclosed.
“Legislators are exposed to threats from constituents and others who gain easy access to their offices without any formal appointment.”
Muhammad, who represents Kano State, described the current security situation within the National Assembly as “dangerously porous,” noting that there have been repeated security breaches in recent months — including the theft of cars and motorcycles, incidents of vandalism, the use of fake identity cards, and infiltration by unregistered visitors.
He warned that failure to act swiftly could force the legislature to suspend plenary sessions and other core functions, potentially destabilising the entire democratic process.
“If proper measures are not taken, it will truncate legislative activities,” he cautioned. “If activities are thwarted, there will be no representation, no oversight, no annual budget, no plenary at all — and that will destabilise democracy and the stability of our nation.”
The proposed Legislative Security Directorate, according to Muhammad, is intended to serve as a proactive institutional mechanism to fortify the National Assembly against internal and external threats. The agency would, he said, “adopt global best practices in parliamentary security architecture” and ensure coordination between the police, DSS, and other security outfits deployed within the complex.
The lawmaker also called on State Houses of Assembly to take similar steps to strengthen security in their chambers, stressing that any attack on a legislative institution is an attack on Nigeria’s democracy itself.
“The need for effective security measures in the National Assembly cannot be overemphasised because parliament has to remain accessible to the public,” he said.
“However, this bill is committed to ensuring the best security architecture to protect legislators, staff, visitors, and property.”
Security experts and analysts have long warned that the symbolic value of the National Assembly makes it a potential target for extremist groups seeking to undermine national institutions.
The House Committee on Internal Security is expected to conclude its deliberations and present recommendations to the full chamber in the coming weeks.