Hon. Idris Wase Urges Tinubu to Reconsider Withdrawal of Police Protection for VIPs
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, has urged President Bola Tinubu to review the decision to withdraw police officers from Very Important Persons (VIPs).
Naija News reports that Tinubu issued the directive on Sunday during a security meeting in Abuja attended by Service Chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services. The order instructed police authorities to redeploy officers to focus on their core duties, prompting the Special Protection Unit of the Nigeria Police Force to recall all personnel attached to VIPs nationwide.
Wase raised the issue on Wednesday during the resumption of debates on national security in the House of Representatives, warning that lawmakers could become targets for abduction by bandits. He called on the President to clarify how VIPs are categorized, noting that there had been past instances where Boko Haram terrorists were listed among recruits in the Army and Police Force.
The new directive requires VIPs seeking protection to request armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) instead of relying on police officers.
The Presidency said the policy is intended to increase police presence in communities, especially in remote areas where stations are often understaffed and citizens remain exposed to attacks.
