Lawmakers urge Tinubu to reconsider VIP Police withdrawal amid rising insecurity

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, has called on President Bola Tinubu to review his recent directive to withdraw police officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) across Nigeria.

Speaking during Wednesday’s plenary session, Wase acknowledged the president’s efforts but warned that the withdrawal could expose public officials to heightened risks.

“I appreciate the president for his efforts. It’s not about the VIPs. When you give criminals police to guard them, this is where I thought we should have this,” Wase said. He added that the order could worsen insecurity, citing kidnappers boasting about targeting political leaders.

Wase emphasized that lawmakers from the North-Central zone face severe insecurity and that road travel has become perilous for public officials. He urged a careful review of the withdrawal policy, stressing the need for clear categorization to prevent a resurgence of kidnappings.

Similarly, Senator Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto North disagreed with the decision during Senate plenary, warning that VIPs could become prime targets. “Instead, the number of military attached to retired generals, they are too many. Let’s do something there as well, not only the VIPs, because they are also VIPs,” he said.

Both lawmakers’ statements highlight concerns that the withdrawal of security personnel from VIPs could inadvertently increase risks for public officials amid Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges.