The Senate has mandated its Committee on Police Affairs to investigate allegations that President Bola Tinubu’s directive withdrawing police escorts from VIPs is being applied selectively, with lawmakers reportedly bearing the brunt of the enforcement.
The decision followed complaints raised during plenary on Wednesday by Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), who invoked Order 9 to protest the withdrawal of his only police orderly. He alleged that while senators were stripped of security aides, ministers, business moguls, political families, and even celebrities continued to enjoy full police protection.
Ningi warned that such uneven enforcement could jeopardise the safety of lawmakers and distort the intent of the President’s directive, issued in November to strengthen police efficiency and improve internal security.
“It should be done across the board,” he said. “I have seen ministers with heavy security, business concerns with their orderlies, children of political office holders with orderlies, and even singers enjoying full protection. But a Senator of the Federal Republic cannot have even one orderly? This is unheard of in any democracy.”
The lawmaker stressed that he was willing to comply with the policy, provided it was implemented fairly.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin confirmed that the Senate leadership had already deliberated on the issue and acknowledged concerns about selective enforcement. He said the President issued the order in good faith and should not have his directive flouted.
“We expect a reaction regarding the police orderlies withdrawn from senators,” Jibrin said. “The leadership agreed yesterday that action should be taken to restore your police orderlies. We have a listening President, and I am sure he will act.”
He added that while the Senate supports the ongoing police reforms, any breach or manipulation of the directive must be thoroughly investigated.
Jibrin subsequently directed the Committee on Police Affairs to examine why some individuals still retain police escorts despite the presidential order. The committee is expected to submit its findings within four weeks.
