Senate probes ‘selective’ withdrawal of VIP police escorts after lawmakers raise alarm

Senate on Wednesday mandated its Committee on Police Affairs to investigate claims that President Bola Tinubu’s directive on the withdrawal of police escorts from VIPs is being enforced selectively.

The decision came after Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) took the floor during plenary, raising a point of order under Order 9.

He expressed anger over the withdrawal of his only police orderly, while ministers, business moguls, political families and even celebrities continued to move around with full security details.

According to Ningi, the uneven enforcement of the President’s November directive not only undermines the intention behind the policy but also places lawmakers at unnecessary risk.

“It should be done across the board. I have seen ministers with heavy security, business concerns with their orderlies, children of political office holders with orderlies, and even singers enjoying full protection. But a Senator of the Federal Republic cannot have even one orderly? This is unheard of in any democracy,” he said.

Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi Central)Ningi stressed that he had no issue with the President’s security reforms so long as the rules applied to everyone equally.

“Let me not see governors, ministers, and business concerns being covered by the security establishment while the National Assembly is made a scapegoat. This is not right, and it should be taken seriously,” he added.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin confirmed that the Senate leadership had already begun steps to address the lawmakers’ concerns. He admitted that the directive was not being implemented uniformly.

Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau“We expect a reaction regarding the police orderlies withdrawn from senators. Why is the directive of the President being flouted, underpinned that the President issued the order in good faith to strengthen the police and tackle internal security issues,” he stated.

Jibrin assured his colleagues that the matter was receiving urgent attention.

“The issue raised to protect you is being taken seriously. The leadership agreed yesterday that action should be taken to restore your police orderlies. We have a listening President, and I am sure he will act.”

While the Senate reiterated its support for ongoing security reforms, it insisted that any breach of the President’s directive must be probed. The Committee on Police Affairs has been tasked with conducting a thorough investigation and is expected to submit its report within four weeks.

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