Abuja, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to ministers and top government officials, mandating their redeployment to core policing duties to intensify the fight against kidnappings and terrorism across Nigeria.
The directive, issued during a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, saw the President emphasize the proper utilization of law enforcement personnel.
“I would rather have police officers doing real policing work than serving as personal escorts,” Tinubu stated, instructing the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to comply. Officials requiring security are now required to seek presidential clearance through the IGP. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) will replace the withdrawn police officers to ensure continued protection for the affected officials.
Key Presidential Directives
In addition to reassigning police personnel, President Tinubu issued several other security and economic mandates:
Security Review: The National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) were tasked with reviewing the existing security structure and arming forest guards.
Livestock Reforms: The Vice President was directed to accelerate livestock reforms through the National Economic Council (NEC), focusing on converting grazing reserves into ranches to mitigate farmer-herder conflicts and promote economic growth.
Senate in Uproar Over Selective Implementation
The President’s directive has ignited a storm of protest in the Nigerian Senate, where lawmakers on Wednesday expressed heightened tension over the perceived selective implementation of the order.
Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) led the objections, revealing that his personal police orderly had been withdrawn early Wednesday, while many other VIPs, including ministers, governors, and business elites, continued to retain their full security privileges.
Ningi urged for a fair, “across the board” application of the withdrawal to avoid disproportionate risk exposure for certain public officials. He noted observing convoys of ministers and business figures still accompanied by multiple security personnel, raising concerns of inequality and biased enforcement.
“I cannot ever imagine that a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who has served for years, will have his only orderly withdrawn while others enjoy protection,” Senator Ningi stressed.
Concerns Over Timing and Safety
Senators collectively argued that removing security personnel during a time of escalating insecurity is dangerous.
Senator Aliyu Wamakko (APC, Sokoto North) described the move as ill-timed, warning that VIPs and public office holders remain high-value targets for kidnappers and criminal gangs.
Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North) echoed this, stating the withdrawal would unnecessarily expose lawmakers and others to violent attacks given the worsening security climate.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, assured the chamber that the leadership is actively working to convince the presidency to exempt National Assembly members from the order, citing international best practices for the safety of elected officials.
The Senate has now tasked the Committee on Police Affairs to investigate the selective enforcement and propose recommendations for safeguarding legislators, underscoring the delicate balance between reallocating police resources for national security and maintaining the protection of high-profile officials.
