Members of the House of Representatives have raised an alarm over alleged threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
Chairman of the House Committee on Internal Security, Hon. Garba Muhammad, disclosed this during a public hearing on Tuesday at the National Assembly.
The session was convened to consider a bill seeking to establish a Legislative Security Directorate for the National Assembly. The proposed body would define the qualifications, structure, and conditions of service for the Sergeant-at-Arms and other security personnel within the legislature.
Hon. Muhammad, while addressing stakeholders, emphasised the need to strengthen internal security mechanisms within the parliament, given the rising security threats across the country.
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“Security is very crucial to all arms of government, especially to the legislative arm because it is an institution where legislators, staff, members of the executive and judiciary, individuals, organisations, protesters, and demonstrators troop in daily to pursue one thing or the other,” he said.
He explained that the large number of people accessing the National Assembly complex daily makes it vulnerable to infiltration by criminal elements.
“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 activities,” the lawmaker stated.
The revelation has heightened concern among lawmakers, as it underscores the urgency for a dedicated internal security framework to protect the National Assembly, its members, and staff from potential attacks.
The proposed Legislative Security Directorate is expected to enhance surveillance, intelligence gathering, and coordination with national security agencies to address emerging threats targeting the federal legislature.
