VIP Security: Senator Tells Tinubu Not to Remove Police Protection, Says Lawmakers May Be Targeted

President Bola Tinubu has been advised by Senator Aliyu Wamakko of the Sokoto North Senatorial District not to remove police protection from the nation’s Very Important Personalities (VIPs).

Speaking on the Senate floor during plenary on Wednesday, Senator Wamakko argued that removing police protection for VIPs would only put them in danger and make them the next victims of criminals.

According to reports, Wamakko’s remarks were a response to President Tinubu’s recent order, which called for the immediate removal of police officers assigned to Very Important Persons nationwide in a significant reorganization of security deployment.

The directive was one of the conclusions made at the President’s high-level security conference with Service Chiefs in Abuja, according to a statement released on Sunday by Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga.

According to Onanuga, the goal of the action is to give the police their “core duties” back and increase their presence in areas where insecurity is a problem.

VIPs looking for armed security escorts must now submit an application to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) under the new system.

The former governor of Sokoto State, however, contended that the President ought to reevaluate the order since removing police protection from VIPs is a risk in and of itself.

He stated, “I have to disagree with the idea of withdrawing police from VIPs; that is another danger because the VIPs will be the next target.”

Regarding the nation’s overall instability, Wamakko stated that the government should pursue the terrorists and outlaws and drive them from their hiding places instead of caving in to their demands.

He said that discussing or paying ransom would give the perpetrators more confidence to carry out their heinous deeds.