Breaking: Nigerian Senators Beg President Tinubu To Review Withdrawal Of Security Personnel, Says They Can’t Go Home For Fear of Kidnapping
Nigerian Senators have formally appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reconsider his government’s directive withdrawing police escorts from lawmakers and other Very Important Persons (VIPs), warning that the decision has exposed them to heightened security risks.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio made the appeal during a joint session of the National Assembly on Friday, where President Tinubu was presenting the 2026 budget.
Akpabio noted some lawmakers had expressed concern that they “may not be able to go home today because of this change due to fears of kidnapping and attacks on the nation’s roads and communities. ([TheCable]
President Tinubu first announced the withdrawal of police officers attached to VIPs in late November, directing that those personnel be redeployed to frontline operational duties to bolster Nigeria’s fight against crime and kidnappings.
The directive is part of a broader security strategy aimed at strengthening police presence in public and vulnerable areas rather than on individual protection details. Under the new arrangement, VIPs are advised to seek security from other authorized agencies such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. ([Businessday NG]
However, several senators have pushed back, saying the timing and implementation of the policy could leave public officials vulnerable.
Senator Kabiru Wamakko described the withdrawal as “dangerous and poorly timed,” saying that with criminal groups increasingly emboldened, removing police protection from lawmakers amounts to exposing them to unnecessary danger.
Similar sentiments were echoed by others who warned that insecurity and kidnappings have surged across regions, making travel particularly perilous. ([metrodailyng.com]
The Senate President’s appeal for review underscores deeper unease in the legislature about balancing national security reforms with the safety of elected officials.
Akpabio told President Tinubu that while the Senate supports efforts to strengthen community policing and improve internal security, the level of threat facing lawmakers and other high-profile individuals cannot be ignored.
He stressed that cooperation between the executive and legislature is essential for advancing public safety objectives and maintaining confidence in government institutions.
The reaction from the National Assembly comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with kidnappings, banditry and other violent crimes that have plagued many states.
Earlier this year the Senate moved to classify kidnapping as a terrorism offence and supported harsher penalties, including the death penalty, for kidnapping and terror-linked crimes. These legislative actions reflect growing frustration with the security situation and the urgent demand for more effective protection for citizens and public figures alike.