A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Idris Wase, has raised alarm that bandits are threatening to abduct members of the National Assembly. Wase issued the warning on Wednesday during a debate on national security in the House, urging President Bola Tinubu to reconsider his recent directive ordering the withdrawal of police officers from Very Important Personalities (VIPs).
President Tinubu had on Sunday announced the withdrawal of police personnel attached to politicians, business figures, and other VIPs. The directive was announced during a national security meeting attended by Service Chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services. The President said the move was part of efforts to strengthen policing across the country by returning officers to regular police duties.
According to the new arrangement, VIPs who require escorts or armed protection would no longer receive police officers by default. Instead, they are expected to request security assistance from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The Special Protection Unit (SPU) of the Nigeria Police Force has already issued instructions for all officers attached to VIPs nationwide to report back to their bases for redeployment.
The Presidency explained that the decision was aimed at boosting police presence, especially in rural communities where many stations are understaffed. The government believes that returning more officers to frontline policing will help restore public confidence and improve response times in areas facing persistent attacks by bandits, kidnappers, and armed robbers.
However, Hon. Idris Wase, who represents Wase Federal Constituency in Plateau State, expressed concern that the blanket withdrawal of police personnel exposes lawmakers to greater risk. He said some bandit groups had already issued threats against members of the National Assembly and other public office holders.
“The bandits are threatening us,” Wase told his colleagues during plenary. “We need Mr. President to review this directive. We are not saying the police should not go back to their duty posts, but there must be proper categorization of VIPs who genuinely require protection.”
Wase argued that lawmakers are often targets for criminals because of their public profiles, frequent travels, and engagement with constituents in insecure regions. He added that many members of the National Assembly represent areas heavily affected by insurgency, banditry, and communal violence. According to him, removing police protection without a clear replacement mechanism puts lives at risk.
The former Deputy Speaker urged President Tinubu to clearly define who qualifies as a VIP in the new security framework. He warned that leaving the system vague could lead to confusion and possible abuse. “There was a time when Boko Haram terrorists were found on the list of recruits in the Army and Police Force,” he said, noting that issues in the recruitment and deployment process require careful handling.
Wase’s call for clarity reflects concerns shared by many lawmakers who fear that the abrupt withdrawal of police escorts was done without adequate planning. Although the government insists that the NSCDC is ready to take over VIP protection duties, some lawmakers doubt the corps’ capacity to respond effectively, especially in highly volatile areas.
Nigeria has been battling different forms of insecurity over the past decade, including the Boko Haram insurgency, banditry across the North-West, herder-farmer clashes in the Middle Belt, and armed robbery and kidnapping in many states. In several rural communities, police stations are poorly staffed, and officers often lack mobility, equipment, and communication tools.
Over the years, many citizens have complained that too many police officers were deployed to protect politicians and wealthy individuals, leaving communities unguarded. Estimates suggest that tens of thousands of officers were attached to VIPs instead of community policing duties.
President Tinubu’s directive is seen as an attempt to correct this imbalance. By redeploying officers back to the field, the government hopes to improve patrol coverage, strengthen intelligence gathering, and reduce response times to distress calls.
The issue sparked lively debate among lawmakers. While some members supported Tinubu’s decision as a necessary step, others agreed with Wase that sudden withdrawal of protection could expose them and other officials to attacks, especially in states where bandits operate freely.
Some lawmakers suggested a phased withdrawal, where NSCDC officers would first be trained and deployed before police escorts are fully removed. Others called for stronger coordination between the police, NSCDC, and intelligence agencies to ensure that VIPs with genuine threats are not left vulnerable.
As of press time, the Presidency had not issued a formal response to Wase’s request for a review of the directive. Security experts say the government may need to refine its approach to avoid creating new security gaps while trying to fix existing ones. Many also believe that the debate offers the government an opportunity to build a more transparent and accountable system for VIP protection.
With insecurity still a major concern for many Nigerians, the House of Representatives is expected to continue discussions on the policy in the coming days. For now, lawmakers like Wase maintain that while boosting police presence in communities is important, the safety of public office holders must also be properly considered in the new security arrangement.
