Senate probes alleged selective withdrawal of police escorts from VIPS
The Senate has directed its Committee on Police Affairs to investigate claims that President Bola Tinubu’s directive on the withdrawal of police escorts from VIPs is being applied selectively.
The decision followed complaints that lawmakers were being stripped of their security details while ministers, business executives, political families, and celebrities continued to retain full police protection.
The resolution was triggered by a point of order raised by Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), who told the chamber that his only police orderly had been withdrawn despite the continued deployment of escorts to other influential individuals.
Ningi warned that the uneven enforcement of the presidential directive, issued in November as part of a national security reform, could expose lawmakers to security risks and undermine the credibility of the policy.
“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.
He stressed that he had no objection to complying with the President’s decision, provided the implementation was fair and consistent.
Responding, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin said the leadership had already discussed the matter and acknowledged concerns that the directive was not being uniformly enforced.
“We expect a reaction regarding the police orderlies withdrawn from senators. Why is the directive of the President being flouted, given that it was issued in good faith to strengthen the police and tackle internal security issues?” he asked.
Jibrin assured lawmakers that efforts were underway to address the withdrawals.
“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.”
He added that while the Senate fully supports the President’s policing reforms, any breach of the directive must be investigated.
He subsequently mandated the Committee on Police Affairs to conduct a full inquiry into why some individuals continue to retain police escorts despite the presidential order. The committee is expected to report back within four weeks.