ABUJA - Nigeria's hallowed chambers of democracy are under severe threat as members of the House of Representatives raised urgent alarms about credible terrorist plans to bomb the National Assembly complex.
The shocking revelation came during Thursday's plenary session, where lawmakers expressed grave concerns about the security breach that could potentially endanger the lives of legislators, staff, and visitors to the legislative building.
Urgent Security Breach Exposed
Hon. Ahmed Satomi, representing Jere Federal Constituency in Borno State, brought the disturbing matter to the floor under matters of urgent public importance. The lawmaker revealed that intelligence reports indicate terrorist elements have concrete plans to detonate explosives within the National Assembly premises.
"This is not just a routine security alert; we're talking about specific, credible threats to attack the very symbol of our democracy," Satomi emphasized during the heated session.
Lawmakers Demand Immediate Action
The House has mandated its Committee on National Security and Intelligence to collaborate with security agencies and immediately investigate the alarming threats. The committee has been given a tight deadline to report back with findings and recommendations.
Key security agencies including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Police Force, and other relevant security outfits have been directed to:
- Conduct immediate threat assessment of the National Assembly complex
- Implement enhanced security measures around the legislative building
- Provide comprehensive briefing to House leadership on the situation
- Establish emergency response protocols for potential attacks
Growing Security Concerns
This development comes amid escalating security challenges across Nigeria, with various terrorist groups continuing to pose significant threats to critical national infrastructure and public safety.
The National Assembly complex, housing both the Senate and House of Representatives, represents one of the most sensitive security locations in the Federal Capital Territory. Any successful attack on this facility would have devastating consequences for Nigeria's democratic institutions and international image.
Security experts have long warned about the vulnerability of key government buildings to terrorist attacks, emphasizing the need for continuous security upgrades and intelligence gathering to protect national assets.
Next Steps and Security Measures
As the investigation unfolds, lawmakers are calling for immediate implementation of additional security protocols around the National Assembly. The House has stressed the urgency of the situation, demanding that security agencies treat this threat with the highest level of priority.
The Nigerian public awaits further updates as security agencies work to neutralize the threat and ensure the safety of the country's democratic institutions.
