Abuja, Nigeria — In a stark warning, the House of Representatives has disclosed credible intelligence that the National Assembly complex is being targeted by terrorists who have threatened to bomb the legislative chambers.
During a public hearing on the proposed “Legislative Security Directorate Bill (HB 1632)”, chaired by the Garba Ibrahim Muhammad Committee on Internal Security, legislators voiced grave concerns that the National Assembly — which accommodates both the House of Representatives and the Senate — has become extremely vulnerable.
According to Muhammad, recent security assessments reveal:
The complex has experienced rising incidents of vehicle thefts, motorcycle thefts, vandalism, and unauthorized entry — issues that undermine the security perimeter.
Unchecked access by visitors, lobbyists, and demonstrators means the influx of people is difficult to screen, turning the premises into what he described as “a small market”.
He stated, “We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly Complex” and added there are also threats from protest groups to lock up the Assembly.
The alleged plot and the weaknesses identified have triggered calls for urgent action:
“It is obvious that with the ongoing security challenges, if proper measures are not taken, it will truncate legislative activities … there will be no representation, no oversight, no annual budget, there will be no plenary at all, and that will destabilise legislative procedure, democracy and the stability of the system, and our Nation at large.”
In response, the bill under discussion seeks to establish a dedicated internal security agency — the Legislative Security Directorate — tasked with managing the protection of the National Assembly, its staff, and the legislative process. It outlines the functions, qualifications for personnel (including the Sergeant-at-Arms), and the legal framework for operations.
What this means:
If the threat is real, the security posture around the National Assembly complex must immediately be reviewed and reinforced — access controls, screening, perimeter security, surveillance, and emergency response plans.
The legislative arm’s ability to function uninterrupted is central to national governance: disruption would affect law-making, budget oversight, and democratic representation.
The bill’s progress and implementation will be watched closely, especially given the urgency flagged by lawmakers.
Next steps:
Security agencies are expected to brief Parliament on the nature of the threats — who is involved, their capabilities, intent, and targets.
The National Assembly leadership may consider interim security measures even before bill passage, such as restricted access, increased patrols, emergency drills, and tighter vetting of visitors.
Stakeholders (including state assemblies) are urged to adopt similar frameworks to guard legislative spaces at all levels.
This development raises serious concerns for Nigeria’s legislative security environment. Clarion NewsChannel will continue to track updates and provide further analysis as the story unfolds.
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