Senate launches inquiry into alleged uneven enforcement of VIP police escort withdrawal
The Senate has ordered its Committee on Police Affairs to examine claims that President Bola Tinubu’s directive recalling police escorts from Very Important Persons (VIPs) is being applied unevenly, leaving lawmakers without protection while other powerful individuals reportedly retain full police details.
The decision followed a heated complaint raised during Wednesday’s plenary by Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), who said the withdrawal of his only police orderly stood in stark contrast to the heavy security still attached to ministers, wealthy business figures, and relatives of top government officials.
Ningi, speaking under Order 9, warned that the uneven rollout of the policy could jeopardize the safety of legislators and undermine the national security reforms the President announced in November.
He insisted that he supports the President’s intention to free up more officers for core policing responsibilities but argued that the enforcement must be uniform.
“I have seen officials across the executive arm surrounded by layers of security while senators are being stripped down to zero.
“Governors, ministers, commercial interests, even children of office holders are still moving around with armed escorts, yet elected lawmakers are told to manage without a single orderly.
”That cannot happen in any functioning democracy, ” he said.
The President’s directive part of a broader push to strengthen internal security by returning thousands of officers to frontline communities—has so far led to the recall of more than 11,000 police personnel nationwide.
But concerns have grown that the process was being manipulated to target certain groups more than others.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin acknowledged the complaints, confirming during plenary that the Senate leadership had already deliberated on the issue and found grounds for concern.
He said lawmakers expected prompt clarification from the police hierarchy regarding why escorts for senators were withdrawn immediately, while other politically connected Nigerians continued receiving full protection in apparent violation of the President’s order.
“The President gave the directive in good faith to enhance security nationwide, and we support that.
“But if the implementation is selective, then something is wrong. The Senate leadership has met on this matter, and steps are being taken to address the withdrawal of officers assigned to senators,” he said.
He assured colleagues that the matter was receiving serious attention, ”the leadership agreed yesterday that this must be corrected.
”We have a responsive President, and we believe he will act once the findings are presented.”
Following the deliberations, the Senate mandated its Committee on Police Affairs to conduct a comprehensive investigation into why certain VIPs still enjoy police protection despite the presidential instruction.
The panel is expected to submit its findings within four weeks.
The Senate’s intervention adds to growing national debate over the VIP escort recall, which has drawn mixed reactions from security experts, public officials, and civil society groups.
