Reported by: L. Imafidon | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja — Senate President Godswill Akpabio has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider a directive that ordered the withdrawal of police operatives from Very Important Persons (VIP) protection duties, warning that the security shift has left some federal lawmakers feeling vulnerable and potentially unable to return safely to their homes. The appeal was made during a joint sitting of the National Assembley on Friday, 19 December 2025, shortly after President Tinubu presented the ₦58.47 trillion 2026 budget proposal to lawmakers.
Earlier this year, on 23 November 2025, President Tinubu directed that police officers assigned to protect VIPs be withdrawn and redeployed to frontline community policing duties in response to nationwide security challenges, with a view to bolstering law enforcement presence in areas most affected by crime. Under the new directive, individuals requiring personal protection are expected to seek armed support from other agencies such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), instead of relying on police escorts.
Speaking on behalf of members of the Senate and House of Representatives, Akpabio stressed that the sudden withdrawal of police orderlies raised legitimate fears among lawmakers about their personal safety. “Only one concern, Mr President. As we direct the security agencies to withdraw policemen from critical areas, some of the National Assembly said I should let you know that they may not be able to go home today because they may be picked up,” he told the President during the joint session.
Akpabio’s remarks reflect growing discomfort among some federal legislators who fear that the reallocation of police personnel — while aimed at improving overall security — may inadvertently expose public officials to heightened risk, especially given the persistence of kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes in various parts of the country.
The Senate President asked Mr. Tinubu to review the directive or consider exemptions for lawmakers and other public office holders, making the case that such adjustments would prevent gaps in the personal security of those serving in national leadership roles. He couched his appeal within expressions of respect for the President’s leadership and decisions, balancing concern for security with support for broader governance priorities.
Lawmakers’ anxieties over the withdrawal were visible in the National Assembly in recent days, where members across political divides have voiced unease that a lack of police protection could expose them to threats while travelling to and from their constituencies. Similar concerns were noted when the Senate previously asked the Federal Government to exempt its members from the withdrawal order, arguing that selective implementation could create security vulnerabilities.
The debate over the police withdrawal comes amid President Tinubu’s broader push to strengthen Nigeria’s security framework, including the potential establishment of state police — a reform he has discussed with international partners such as U.S. and European leaders, and which senior APC figures say is aimed at decentralising policing and enhancing responsiveness to local threats.
Mr. Tinubu’s directive has drawn mixed reactions across political and civil society circles. While some Nigerians applaud the move as necessary to redirect police resources to underserved communities, others have expressed concerns about its implementation, particularly when it appears uneven or risks leaving some individuals without adequate protection.
As of Friday, the President had not publicly indicated whether he would modify the policy in response to Akpabio’s appeal. The dialogue between the Executive and the Legislature on this matter underscores the complex balance between national security strategy and individual protection needs in a country grappling with persistent insecurity.
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