Nigerian senators and members of the house of representatives have raised the alarm over their safety as terrorists have threatened to bomb the national assembly.
The chairman, house of representatives committee on internal security, Mr Garba Muhammad, revealed this yesterday at a public hearing on a bill to establish the legislative security directorate.
The bill aims to improve security management and safeguard lawmakers, staff and visitors to the national assembly.
Muhammad said the national assembly had received threats from terrorists to bomb the complex, stressing the urgent need to strengthen security within the nation’s highest legislative institution.
He the seat of Nigeria’s democracy had increasingly faced serious security challenges, including cases of car and motorcycle theft, vandalism, fake identity cards and infiltration by unregistered visitors.
“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 into their offices without any formal appointment,” he said.
He warned that if such threats and lapses were not urgently addressed, legislative operations could be disrupted, which could have grave implications for governance and democracy.
“It is obvious that with the ongoing security challenges, if proper measures are not taken, it will truncate the 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, and the stability of the system, and our nation at large,” he added.
The lawmaker noted that effective security management requires a holistic and coordinated approach, integrating multiple elements to secure the environment and ensure that legislative duties were carried out effectively.
“That is why this bill is very important. It seeks to address all the challenges as aforesaid and adopt world best practices of parliamentary security procedures and architecture.
“The need for effective security measures in the national assembly cannot be over-emphasised because parliament has to remain accessible to the public.
“This bill is committed to ensuring the best security architecture in the National Assembly to protect legislators, staff, visitors and property,” he stressed.
Beyond the national assembly, Muhamad urged state houses of assembly in the country to emulate the same initiative to ensure comprehensive legislative security nationwide.
With Vanguard report
