Lawmakers in Nigeria’s House of Representatives have raised alarm over reported threats by terrorist groups to bomb the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
The revelation was made on Tuesday by Hon. Garba Muhammad, Chairman of the House Committee on Internal Security, during a public hearing on a bill to establish the Legislative Security Directorate for the National Assembly.
According to Muhammad, intelligence reports indicated that terrorists had issued threats against the legislative complex, prompting urgent calls for improved security around the parliament.
“Security is very crucial to all arms of government, especially to the legislative arm, because it is an institution where legislators, staff, the executive, judiciary, individuals, organisations, protesters, and demonstrators troop in daily to pursue one thing or the other,” the lawmaker said.
He noted that the large daily influx of people into the National Assembly complex makes it a potential target for criminal infiltration.
“Due to this daily massive influx of people into the parliament, criminals seek and attempt to take advantage of the situation to infiltrate, in order to conduct their dubious behaviours,” he added.
The bill under consideration seeks to establish a dedicated security directorate that will define the roles, qualifications, and conditions of service for the Sergeant-at-Arms and other security personnel at the National Assembly.
If passed, the legislation is expected to enhance the security framework of the legislature and ensure better coordination of internal security operations within the parliamentary complex.
