ABUJA, Nigeria — Two senior lawmakers have called on President Bola Tinubu to review his directive ordering the withdrawal of police officers assigned to very important personalities (VIPs), warning that the move could expose public officials to heightened danger amid worsening insecurity.
Tinubu on Sunday, November 23, 2025, directed the immediate removal of police details attached to VIPs nationwide, with the presidency saying the officers would be redeployed to community policing duties.
Speaking during plenary in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Idris Wase, former deputy speaker, said the decision may inadvertently increase the risks faced by politicians and other high-profile individuals.
“I appreciate the president for his efforts,” Wase said.
“I appreciate his concern. It’s not about the VIPs. When you give criminals police to guard them, this is where I thought we should have this.
“The withdrawal order that has been given, I think, if we are not careful, there will be more now, because I watched a video where one of the kidnappers or bandits was boasting that they are going to get the head of the Mr. President. They are going after politicians, and these people are all unrepentant.”
Wase, who represents a constituency in Nigeria’s north-central region, said lawmakers from the zone are already facing severe insecurity.
According to him, road travel has become increasingly perilous for public officials.
“I don’t think there’s anybody that will say, ‘I can travel with my eyes open between here and Jos.’ Once it is 6 pm to get to Keffi, I’m scared, because I know what is happening. Kidnapping happens virtually everyday.”
He urged the federal government to clarify categories of individuals from whom protection would be withdrawn.
“It’s a good order, but the categorisation has to be spelled out, because before you know it, this house will again come back faced with the same problem of kidnapping and whatever you have it,” he said.
In the Senate, Aliyu Wamakko, who represents Sokoto North, also opposed the policy.
Speaking during plenary on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, he said withdrawing police aides from VIPs “is going to constitute another danger, because the VIPs are going to be the next target, and the government will come back and revert the policy.”
Wamakko argued that the government should instead review the number of military personnel attached to retired generals.
“They are too many,” he said.
“Let’s do something there as well, not only the VIPs, because they are also VIPs.”
