Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, has made a strong appeal to President Bola Tinubu. He urged the President to review the recent directive withdrawing police officers from Very Important Persons (VIPs). This directive, from the Special Protection Unit of the Nigeria Police Force, mandated recalling all officers attached to VIPs nationwide. The aim was to redeploy them for core police duties.
Speaking in the lower chamber on Wednesday during a debate on national security, Mr. Wase expressed grave concerns. He lamented that bandits are now openly threatening to abduct members of the National Assembly. This situation, he argued, makes the withdrawal of security personnel highly risky for lawmakers.
The former Deputy Speaker also pressed the President for clarity regarding the classification of VIPs. He recalled a past incident where Boko Haram terrorists were reportedly found on the list of recruits within the Army and Police Force. This, he implied, underscores the need for thorough background checks and clear criteria for security assignments.
Under the new security arrangement, VIPs who require protection will now obtain armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). They will no longer rely solely on police officers for personal escorts.
The Presidency explained its rationale behind this significant policy shift. The move aims to enhance police presence across communities, particularly in remote areas. Many police stations in these regions often suffer from understaffing. Consequently, citizens remain vulnerable to attacks, and redeploying officers is expected to address this critical gap.
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