Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security, Garba Muhammad, has revealed that the National Assembly has received threats from terrorists to bomb the complex.

Garba made this known during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish the Legislative Security Directorate, aimed at enhancing security management and protecting lawmakers, staff, and visitors within the parliamentary complex.

According to him, the National Assembly has been grappling with a series of security challenges, including car and motorcycle theft, vandalism, fake identity cards, and infiltration by unregistered visitors.

He explained that the threats underscore the urgent need for stronger security measures to prevent any potential breach that could disrupt legislative operations.

“We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly Complex and threats from protesters to lock up the National Assembly,” Garba said.

“Legislators are exposed to threats from constituents and others who gain easy access to their offices without any formal appointment,” he added.

The lawmaker warned that failure to take urgent action could disrupt legislative activities and undermine democratic governance.

“It is obvious that with the ongoing security challenges, if proper measures are not taken, it will truncate legislative activities in the National Assembly. If activities are thwarted, there will be no representation, no oversight, no annual budget, no plenary at all. That will destabilise legislative procedure, democracy, and the stability of our nation,” he said.

This is not the first time such threats have been reported. On May 4, 2021, security alerts warned of a possible Boko Haram attack on the National Assembly and other key government locations in Abuja. The development prompted temporary restrictions on access to the complex and renewed calls for stronger protection of national assets.

Garba, therefore, urged for immediate fortification of the National Assembly complex to ensure the safety of lawmakers and staff while sustaining the integrity of legislative operations.