Politics

Our Safety Is at Stake’: Nigerian Senators Challenge VIP Security Cuts

By; Chioma Madonna Ndukwu Our Safety Is at Stake’: Nigerian Senators Challenge VIP Security Cuts A fresh wave of tension broke out in the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday after several lawmakers protested the withdrawal of their police orderlies, insisting that the policy was being enforced unevenly and could put their lives at risk.

Chioma Ndukwu 2 weeks ago 3 min read

By; Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

A fresh wave of tension broke out in the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday after several lawmakers protested the withdrawal of their police orderlies, insisting that the policy was being enforced unevenly and could put their lives at risk.

The protest, led by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), followed President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive ordering the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to recall police personnel attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs).

The order, issued amid rising insecurity nationwide, instructs the Special Protection Unit (SPU) to redeploy officers back to their operational bases.

Nigeria has, for years, struggled with overstretched police manpower, with thousands of officers deployed to private individuals, politicians, business elites, entertainers and expatriates.

Security experts have argued that this practice leaves regular policing under-resourced at a time of widespread kidnapping, bandit attacks, and rising crime rates.

Successive governments have announced reforms, but enforcement has been inconsistent. Tinubu’s directive marks one of the most aggressive attempts to free officers from VIP assignments, but its rollout is already facing resistance, particularly from lawmakers who say they are being targeted first.

Senator Ningi told the chamber that his only police orderly was withdrawn early Wednesday morning, while ministers, business magnates, foreign companies, and even children of political office holders still move with full security convoys.

He argued that withdrawing protection from legislators alone amounted to unfair treatment.

“Let the withdrawal be done from top to bottom. I want to see it applied from the offices of the President and Vice President to ministers, governors and. business executives,” he said.

“I have seen ministers with convoys. I have seen Chinese companies with their orderlies. I have seen entertainers and children of political office holders with full security. It is unacceptable that senators are the first to be stripped of protection.”

Ningi warned that lawmakers should not become “scapegoats” in the implementation of a nationwide policy.

Presiding over the session, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau confirmed that Senate leadership had already opened discussions with the presidency to exempt members of the National Assembly from the directive.

He assured lawmakers that efforts were being made to restore their police protection.

> “It is standard international practice for legislators to have protection,” he said. “We have a listening President. We believe this matter will be addressed.”

This is not the first time senators are protesting the withdrawal. On November 26, during a debate on rising insecurity, several lawmakers warned that removing their escorts could expose them to serious danger.

Senator Aliyu Wamakko (APC, Sokoto North) argued that public officials remain high-value targets for terrorists and kidnappers.

> “Our lives are in danger. This decision is ill-timed,” he said.

Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North) also described the policy as risky, especially as criminal activity continues to rise.

> “Withdrawing protection now is like opening us up to attacks,” he said.

The Tinubu administration insists the decision is aimed at strengthening policing across Nigeria by returning thousands of officers to active duty.

But the growing pushback from federal lawmakers indicates that the reform may face political hurdles unless exemptions are granted. For now, senators insist the policy must apply equally or not at all.