•Lawmakers push for new security directorate to safeguard parliament
• Complex faces infiltration, vandalism, and rising safety concerns -Garba warns
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security, Hon. Garba Muhammad, on Tuesday disclosed that the National Assembly has received threats from terrorists to bomb the complex and called for urgent fortification of the edifice as a proactive measure.
Garba made the disclosure in Abuja during a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish the Legislative Security Directorate, aimed at enhancing security management and protecting lawmakers, staff members, and visitors to the nation’s parliament.
He explained that the edifice housing the Senate, the House of Representatives, and sundry offices has been facing various security challenges, including cases of car and motorcycle theft, vandalism, use of fake identity cards, and infiltration by unregistered visitors.
It would be recalled that on May 4, 2021, a security alert warned lawmakers of a planned Boko Haram attack on the National Assembly complex and other VIP or government locations in Abuja. In response, security measures were intensified, including strict vehicle checks that caused significant congestion at the gates.
Lawmakers were advised to use the less-congested Presidential Gate for safer access. The alert underscored concerns over Boko Haram’s growing threat, with insurgents reportedly operating as close as Niger State, near the Federal Capital Territory.
Following the alert, the National Assembly restricted members’ presence on the premises for safety reasons, while security experts called for stronger federal protection of national infrastructure and assets.
Garba said, “We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly Complex and threats from protesters to lock up the National Assembly.
“Legislators are exposed to threats from constituents and others who gain easy access to their offices without any formal appointment.
“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, and that will destabilise legislative procedure, democracy, the stability of the system, and our nation at large.”
The Kano lawmaker noted that robust security management requires a holistic and coordinated approach, integrating multi-layered strategies to secure the National Assembly environment and enable lawmakers to discharge their duties in an atmosphere of peace.
“That is why this bill is important. It seeks to address all the challenges as aforesaid and adopt the world’s best practices in parliamentary security procedures and architecture.
“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 added.
He further urged State Houses of Assembly to take urgent steps to strengthen the security of their complexes nationwide.
Garba also called for the support of all stakeholders to ensure the speedy passage of the bill, describing it as a major step towards securing Nigeria’s democratic institutions.