Chairman House Committee on Internal Security, Mr Garba Muhammad, has revealed that he has received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly complex.

Mr Garba Muhammad made this known in Abuja during a public hearing on a bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment and Functions of the Legislative Security Directorate in the National Assembly.

Mr Muhammad, who underscored the importance of robust security in all arms of government, particularly in the Legislature, which receives heavy daily foot traffic from lawmakers, staff, executive officials, judiciary members, civil society groups and protesters, called for urgent measures to ensure total protection of the edifice.

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According to him, the National Assembly had faced numerous security threats, including car and motorcycle thefts, vandalism, unauthorised access, fake identity cards, and petty trading within the complex.

He 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.”

In remarks, the Inspector General of Police, represented by Assistant IG Emmanuel Aina, cautioned that creating a separate Directorate might lead to overlapping mandates and a parallel administrative function.

“While the intent to strengthen security in the National Assembly is commendable, establishing a new Directorate could undermine existing collaborative arrangements among security agencies already performing these functions effectively,” he explained.