Nigerian Lawmaker Cautions Government On Pulling Police From VIP Protection, Urges Strategic Action Against Rising Bandit Threats

 

Senator Aliyu Wammako has strongly opposed the recent directive by President Bola Tinubu to withdraw police personnel assigned to VIP security across Nigeria. The lawmaker raised concerns that removing these protective details could expose high-profile individuals to an increased risk of attacks by criminals. Speaking during a Senate session on Wednesday, Wammako underscored the urgency of maintaining adequate security for VIPs while pursuing broader national safety objectives.

According to Wammako, the decision to reassign police officers from VIP protection roles represents a potential hazard rather than a solution. “I have to disagree with the idea of withdrawing police from VIPs. That is another danger because the VIPs are going to be the next target,” he said. He argued that instead of reducing protection for important officials, government resources should prioritize proactive strategies to combat banditry and criminal networks throughout the country.

The senator further stressed that Nigeria must assert authority over criminal elements rather than appearing to submit to their threats. He called for a comprehensive approach that combines intelligence-led operations, community engagement, and targeted interventions to dismantle armed groups threatening national security. Wammako’s remarks reflect ongoing public debate over balancing limited police resources with the need to safeguard both public officials and ordinary citizens.

President Tinubu’s directive, announced earlier this week following a high-level security meeting in Abuja, instructs police officers currently providing VIP security to return to core policing duties. During the session, the President met with top officials from the police, the Air Force, the Army, and the Department of State Services to discuss national security priorities. The measure is intended to strengthen general law enforcement efforts, ensuring that officers are more widely available to respond to broader security challenges.

Under the new arrangement, VIPs who still require dedicated protection will now request well-trained and heavily armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. This adjustment aims to provide targeted protection without diverting police resources from other critical security functions. However, critics like Wammako argue that this approach may not be sufficient to deter attacks on prominent individuals and could inadvertently embolden criminals.

Security analysts note that Nigeria continues to face significant threats from armed bandits, kidnappers, and organized criminal networks, particularly in regions prone to instability. The debate over the withdrawal of VIP police protection reflects broader concerns about resource allocation, public safety, and the government’s strategy for addressing violent crime nationwide. Wammako’s call for a more aggressive approach highlights the need for a careful balance between protecting key officials and reinforcing overall national security measures.

The discussion in the Senate adds a new dimension to the ongoing conversation about how Nigeria can enhance safety while efficiently utilizing its security forces. Wammako’s warnings suggest that a failure to maintain adequate protection for VIPs could have wider consequences, potentially putting more high-profile figures at risk while sending a troubling signal to criminal networks operating across the country.