Lawmakers urge Tinubu to reconsider police withdrawal from VIPs
The National Assembly has asked Bola Tinubu to review the recent order withdrawing police officers from VIPs, citing concerns over lawmakers’ safety. The appeal was made during the 2026 budget presentation on June 5, 2025, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio highlighting fears of increased insecurity. The directive, issued in November, aimed to redeploy police to core community duties, but lawmakers argue this leaves them vulnerable. Calls for exemption and fair application of the policy have intensified in recent days.
What we know
- The National Assembly formally appealed to Bola Tinubu on June 5, 2025, to reconsider the police withdrawal directive for VIPs.
- Lawmakers fear the move could increase their risk and compromise security in critical areas.
- The original directive, issued in November, ordered police officers to focus on community policing instead of VIP protection.
- Senator Abdul Ningi and others requested that lawmakers be exempted or that the policy be applied equally to all VIPs, including top government officials.
- Senate leadership assured members that discussions with the Presidency are ongoing to address their concerns and possibly restore police protection.
