There is a growing concern over security threats to the National Assembly as the House of Representatives claimed it had received threats from terrorists to bomb the complex in Abuja, the nation’s capital and other forms of security challenges.
The Chairman of the Committee on Internal Security of the National Assembly, Garba Muhammad, disclosed this during a public hearing in Abuja on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
The hearing was organised to consider a bill seeking to establish the legislative security directorate in the National Assembly, which will outline the qualifications and conditions of service for the sergeant-at-arms and other personnel.
Muhammad, who stated that the National Assembly had been facing many security challenges, said: “Security is very crucial to all arms of government, especially to the legislative arm because it is an institution where legislators, staff, executive, judiciary, individuals, organisations, protesters, demonstrators, and many more troop into on a daily basis in their droves to pursue one thing or the other.
”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.
”The National Assembly is going through a lot of security challenges. We have experienced car thefts, motorcycle thefts, vandalism, fake Identity cards, and unwanted visitors accessing the national assembly without proper documentation, as well as petty trading, which gives the national assembly a small market appearance.
”We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly Complex and threat from protesters to lock-up the National Assembly.
”Legislators are exposed to threats from constituents and others who gained easy access to their offices without any formal appointment.”
The lawmaker stressed that the need for effective security measures in the National Assembly could not be overemphasised, saying “stringent security measures” must be implemented.
Muhammad also urged the State House of Assemblies to implement the same security measures.
