The Senate has protested what it describes as selective enforcement of President Bola Tinubu’s directive withdrawing police orderlies from Very Important Persons (VIPs) nationwide.
Senators complained that while their own orderlies were withdrawn, many VIPs — including children of political office holders, business tycoons, and entertainers — still enjoy police protection.
The protest followed a motion by Senator Abdul Ningi, who said his only police orderly was removed yesterday even though several VIPs still move with full security convoys. He insisted that enforcement must apply “from the President down to ministers, governors, business owners, and celebrities.”
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin assured lawmakers that Senate leadership is already engaging the Presidency to exempt National Assembly members, describing such exemption as “international practice.”
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has ordered total compliance with the nationwide withdrawal of police orderlies from VIPs. At the Federal Executive Council meeting, he instructed the Interior Minister, Inspector-General of Police and the NSCDC to immediately replace withdrawn police personnel with other security operatives, so citizens are not left exposed.
Tinubu said the country needs all available police manpower to tackle rising kidnapping and terrorism, noting that any VIP requiring police protection must obtain clearance from the IGP and himself.
The President also directed the Vice President to work with state governments to revive grazing reserves for ranching and livestock settlements, stressing the need to turn conflict zones into economic opportunities.
