NASS on High Alert After Receiving Bomb Threats From Terrorists

The National Assembly is on high alert after its members received direct threats from terrorists promising to bomb the legislative complex. The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security, Garba Muhammad, revealed this critical information yesterday, stressing the urgent need to strengthen security within the nation’s highest legislative institution.

Muhammad disclosed the threats at a public hearing on a bill to establish a Legislative Security Directorate, aimed at improving security management and safeguarding lawmakers, staff, and visitors. He revealed that the seat of Nigeria’s democracy has increasingly faced serious security challenges, including cases of car and motorcycle theft, vandalism, fake identity cards, and infiltration by unregistered visitors.

He stated directly: “We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly complex and threats from protesters to lock up the National Assembly.” He further highlighted the vulnerability of legislators, noting they “are exposed to threats from constituents and others who gain easy access into their offices without any formal appointment.”

He warned that if such threats and lapses were not urgently addressed, legislative operations could be completely disrupted, which would have grave implications for governance and democracy. He cautioned: “It is obvious that with the ongoing security challenges, if proper measures are not taken, it will truncate the legislative activities in the National Assembly. If activities are thwarted, there will be no representation, no oversight, no annual budget, no plenary at all — and that will destabilise legislative procedure, democracy, and the stability of the system, and our nation at large.”

Muhammad explained that the proposed bill seeks to holistically address these challenges by adopting world-class parliamentary security procedures. He affirmed that while public access is vital, safety is paramount, stating: “The need for effective security measures in the National Assembly cannot be overemphasised because Parliament has to remain accessible to the public. However, this bill is committed to ensuring the best security architecture in the National Assembly to protect legislators, staff, visitors and property.” He also urged state Houses of Assembly across Nigeria to emulate this initiative to ensure comprehensive legislative security nationwide.