By Kingston Magare 10.12.2025
Some members of the Nigerian Senate Wednesday protested against what they called selective withdrawal of VIP police protection as ordered by President Bola Tinubu.
The protesting Senators led by Abdul Ningi representing Bauchi central claimed that despite the presidential order many privileged persons are still keeping their police orderlies, while lawmakers have been stripped of theirs.
During his speech declaring an emergency on the insecurity in the country, President Tinubu has directed the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to immediately withdraw all police officers and reassign them to critical areas.
“It should be done across the board…I saw two convoys of ministers, and they were carrying lots of security personnel. I have also seen business concerns, Chinese and other business concerns, yesterday (Tuesday) with their compliments of orderlies.
“I have also seen daughters and sons of political office holders having orderlies and having security covers.
“ I have seen singers having orderlies and complimentary protection. I cannot ever imagine that a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who has been here for a very long time, will have his only one orderly, withdrawn,” Senator Ningi said on the floor of the Senate.
“Let me not see governors, ministers, and business tycoons, being escorted by security personnel.”
Responding deputy senate president Jabrin Barau said the Senator is looking into the issue
“I want to assure you that the issue raised to protect you is taken seriously, and that at the leadership side yesterday, we agreed that the course of action should be undertaken in order to restore your police order to you, because it’s in line with international practice.
“I’m sure we have a listening President. He will listen to us, and by the grace of God, he will save us from that order, which was given in good faith,” he said.