By Mohammed Bello Doka
Several Nigerian lawmakers out of patriotism and love for the country have expressed strong concerns over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive ordering the withdrawal of police personnel attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs), warning that the move could expose public office holders to serious security threats amid rising insecurity nationwide.
The senators, who raised the matter during plenary on Wednesday, argued that the directive was ill-timed given the prevailing security challenges, including terrorism, banditry and kidnapping across many parts of the country. They said lawmakers and other public officials remain prime targets for criminal groups, especially while traveling to and from their constituencies.
Leading the debate, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto North) cautioned that withdrawing police protection without adequate alternative arrangements could put lives at risk. He stressed that many lawmakers regularly visit insecure rural areas for constituency oversight, community engagements and political activities, making police escorts critical to their safety.
Similarly, Senator Tahir Monguno (Borno North) warned that insecurity remains severe in some regions and that lawmakers from such areas would be particularly vulnerable if police protection is withdrawn. He urged the presidency to reconsider the order or adopt a more flexible, risk-based approach.
President Tinubu had issued the directive during a high-level security meeting in Abuja, instructing that police officers attached to VIPs be redeployed for core policing duties across the country. The presidency explained that the decision was aimed at strengthening police presence in underserved communities and improving public safety.
Under the new arrangement, VIPs requiring security are expected to seek protection from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) or other lawful security channels. The government also announced plans to recruit thousands of new police personnel as part of broader security sector reforms.
While some civil society groups have welcomed the policy, arguing it could reduce elitist use of police resources and enhance community policing, critics remain skeptical. They fear the policy may be unevenly enforced or fail to address deeper structural issues such as inadequate manpower, poor funding and limited intelligence capacity within the security agencies.
In response to the concerns, lawmakers resolved to engage the executive arm and security authorities to review the directive, insisting that the safety of public officials and the general public must not be compromised.
The unfolding debate is expected to test the government’s commitment to balancing elite security arrangements with the urgent need to improve policing for ordinary Nigerians.
Tags
News