The Chairman, House Committee on Internal Security, Hon. Garba Ibrahim Muhammad, has revealed that the National Assembly had received credible threats from terrorists to bomb the legislative complex, raising fresh concerns over the safety of lawmakers, staff, and visitors within the premises.
Muhammad disclosed this on Tuesday during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish the Legislative Security Directorate (HB 1632), which aims to enhance internal security and protect Nigeria’s foremost democratic institution.
According to him, the National Assembly complex has in recent times faced both terrorist threats and agitation-driven warnings from protesters threatening to lock up the building, a situation that underscores the vulnerability of the institution.
“We have had situations where we received threats from terrorists to attack and bomb the National Assembly complex, as well as threats from some groups to occupy the building. This is a serious national security concern,” the lawmaker said.
He lamented that the existing security framework within the National Assembly is weak and outdated, citing frequent cases of theft of vehicles, fake identity cards, vandalism, and unrestricted access by unauthorized persons, including traders and hawkers.
“The current security arrangement exposes legislators and staff to avoidable risks. If there is no plenary, there will be no budget, no oversight, and consequently, no governance. The Parliament must be protected to preserve democracy,” he added.
The proposed Legislative Security Directorate, according to the lawmaker, will be responsible for coordinating, managing, and enforcing internal security at the National Assembly complex, ensuring professionalism, accountability, and collaboration with existing national security agencies.
The committee chairman further appealed to state assemblies to adopt similar frameworks for their legislative complexes, emphasizing that while the parliament must remain open to citizens, it should not be at the expense of safety.
However, representatives of key security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), expressed reservations about the creation of a separate security directorate, warning that it could lead to overlapping roles and inter-agency conflicts.
AIG Emmanuel Aina, who represented the Inspector-General of Police, noted that while the intention of the bill was commendable, “any new security structure must not duplicate existing roles or weaken ongoing collaborations among security bodies.”
Despite the concerns, members of the House Committee agreed that the prevailing insecurity across the country calls for a more proactive and independent approach to safeguarding legislative operations.
Security analysts have also noted that the revelation is an alarming reminder that terrorists view symbolic national institutions like the National Assembly as potential targets, stressing that protecting such sites is not just about lawmakers but the continuity of governance and democracy itself.
The proposed bill (HB 1632) is currently before the House of Representatives and, if passed, would mark the first time Nigeria establishes a dedicated legislative security directorate similar to those operating in the United States, United Kingdom, and several European parliaments.