A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase, has raised serious concerns over the safety of lawmakers following threats by bandits targeting members of the National Assembly.
Wase sounded the alarm on Wednesday, Nov. 26, during the continuation of the House debate on Nigeria’s worsening security situation. He highlighted that the current trend of violent attacks, kidnappings, and armed robberies across the country poses a direct risk not only to ordinary citizens but also to high-profile individuals, including lawmakers and public officials.
Rep asks Tinubu to review police withdrawal
During the session, Wase urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider his recent directive withdrawing police officers from guarding Very Important Personalities (VIPs) across the country. He stressed that the withdrawal comes at a time when criminal gangs are increasingly brazen, making high-profile individuals, including lawmakers, particularly vulnerable to attacks and kidnappings. Wase emphasized that the National Assembly, being a critical institution, should not be left exposed to threats while Nigeria grapples with mounting insecurity.
President Tinubu had, on Sunday, Nov. 23, ordered police officers attached to VIPs nationwide to return to their bases. The directive, issued during a high-level security meeting in Abuja with Service Chiefs and the DSS Director-General, mandated that officers of the Police Special Protection Unit (SPU) be redeployed to focus on core policing duties, especially in areas experiencing severe security deficits. The government explained that the redeployment is intended to strengthen police presence in underserved communities, particularly rural and remote areas where police stations are understaffed and residents are frequently targeted by criminals.
NSCDC personnel assigned to VIPs
Under the new arrangement, VIPs in need of armed protection are now required to formally request security details from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) instead of relying on the Nigeria Police Force. The presidency stated that this measure was designed to ensure that police resources are optimally deployed to areas with higher crime rates, while also providing alternative security measures for VIPs through NSCDC personnel.
However, Wase warned that the withdrawal of police protection from lawmakers and other key public officials at a time of escalating insecurity could have unintended consequences. He stressed that while the redeployment of police officers to rural and underserved communities is understandable, there must be a balanced approach to protect high-profile figures who are also potential targets of criminal activities. Wase called for a review of the directive and the introduction of additional security measures to safeguard lawmakers, their families, and other critical personnel amid the rising threat posed by bandits.
He concluded by urging the government to adopt a comprehensive security strategy that addresses both the protection of citizens in vulnerable areas and the safety of public officials, warning that failure to do so could embolden criminal networks and further destabilize the nation’s security landscape.