Reps Raise Alarm Over Alleged Terror Threats to National Assembly, Call for New Security Directorate

Members of the House of Representatives have raised concerns over alleged terror threats targeting the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, warning that such attacks could paralyse legislative activities and undermine the country’s democracy.

The warning was issued by Garba Muhammad, Chairman of the House Committee on Internal Security, on Tuesday during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish the Legislative Security Directorate a proposed agency to coordinate and manage security within the parliament.

Muhammad revealed that intelligence reports had uncovered plans by terrorist groups to attack the complex, as well as by protesters to stage lockdowns. He highlighted rising security lapses within the premises, including car and motorcycle theft, use of fake identity cards, vandalism, and infiltration by unregistered visitors.

He warned that without urgent interventions, legislative sessions and national functions could be disrupted.

“If proper measures are not taken, it will truncate legislative activities. If activities are thwarted, there will be no representation, no oversight, no annual budget, and no plenary which will destabilise our democracy,” he said.

Muhammad described the proposed Legislative Security Directorate as a proactive initiative aimed at strengthening the National Assembly’s defences, adopting global best practices in parliamentary security.

He further urged State Houses of Assembly across the country to tighten their security, stressing that “threats to legislative institutions are threats to democracy itself.”