Police orderly withdrawal: Senators kick, Tinubu insists

The Senate expressed concern yesterday regarding what some senators referred to as the selective enforcement of President Bola Tinubu’s directive concerning the withdrawal of police orderlies from Very Important Persons (VIPs). This measure was intended to support efforts aimed at addressing the significant insecurity issues facing the nation.

The senators voiced their grievances, noting that although their own orderlies had been removed, numerous VIPs continued to benefit from police orderlies.

This complaint coincided with President Tinubu's order for full adherence to his previous directive, which mandated the withdrawal of all police personnel assigned to Very Important Personalities (VIPs) throughout the country.

Additionally, the President instructed the Minister of Interior, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure the prompt replacement of police officers engaged in special security duties, so as not to leave citizens vulnerable.

Frustrated by the selective enforcement, despite the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, pledging to apprehend any officer found in violation of the directive by providing services to a VIP, the senators are insisting that the directive be uniformly applied in the interest of fairness and equity.

While alleging that the children of political office holders continue to have police orderlies and enjoy security protection, the senators requested an exemption from the enforcement to prevent being made scapegoats.
The concerns raised in the Senate yesterday were based on a motion introduced by Senator Abdul Ningi.

Senator Ningi, who presented the motion through a point of order, informed the Senate that the only police orderly assigned to him was withdrawn in the early hours of yesterday, while other VIPs in the country still retain this privilege.

Ningi, advocating for uniform enforcement in the spirit of fairness and equity, stated: “It should be done across the board. Let’s observe the actions taken from the office of the President, to the Vice President, to the Senate President, to the Speaker of the House, and to the ministers.

“I saw two convoys of ministers and they were carrying lots of security personnel. Mr. President, I have also seen business concerns, Chinese and other business concerns with their complements of orderlies.
“Mr. President, I have also seen daughters and sons of political office-holders having orderlies and having security covers.

“Mr. President, I have seen singers having orderlies and complementary protection. I cannot ever imagine that a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who has been here for a very long time will have his only one orderly withdrawn.

“I can take care of myself but let it be done across the board. Let me not see governors, ministers, and business tycoons, being escorted by security personnel.

NASS shouldn’t be used as scapegoats
“This matter should be addressed with all seriousness it deserved. I, therefore, call on the President of the Senate to ask the Chairman of Committee on Police Affairs to investigate why the directive is seemingly being implemented selectively. The National Assembly should not be used as a scapegoat.”

In his brief remarks , the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau JibrIn who presided over the session, said the issue raised by Ningi was extensively deliberated upon by the leadership of the Senate on Tuesday.

He specifically informed the senator and other affected senators that efforts were being made to convince the Presidency to exempt members of the National Assembly from orderly withdrawal implementation.

Jibrin said: “I want to assure you that the issue raised to protect you is taken seriously, and that at the leadership side yesterday (Tuesday), we agreed that the course of action should be undertaken in order to restore your police orderly to you, because it’s in line with international practice.

“I’m sure we have a listening President. He will listen to us, and by the grace of God, he will save us from that order, which was given in good faith.”

Tinubu mandates thorough enforcement of police withdrawal from VIPs

In a recent development, President Tinubu has instructed complete adherence to his previous order for the withdrawal of all police personnel assigned to Very Important Personalities (VIPs) nationwide.

The President has also tasked the Minister of Interior, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) with ensuring the prompt replacement of police officers currently engaged in special security duties, so as to avoid leaving the public vulnerable.

During his address prior to the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized that, in light of the ongoing threats of kidnapping and terrorism, it is imperative for the nation to deploy all available resources to safeguard its citizens.

It is important to note that, amidst the deteriorating security landscape, highlighted by the recent abductions of students in Kebbi and Niger states, the President had previously ordered the withdrawal of police officers from VIPs and sanctioned the recruitment of an additional 20,000 police officers.

While addressing the council chambers, the President also instructed Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima to coordinate with state governments, via the National Economic Council (NEC), regarding grazing reserves that could be preserved or transformed into ranches and livestock settlements.

Tinubu reiterated his commitment to the enforcement of police withdrawal from VIPs, asserting that it must be implemented effectively. He added that any individual requiring police services must seek permission from the IGP, who must, in turn, obtain approval from him.

He said: “I told the IGP and I hope the Minister of Police Affairs is here, if you have any problem of security because of the nature of assignment, please contact the IGP and get my clearance.

“The Minister of Interior should liaise with IGP and Civil Defence structure to replace those police officers who are on special security duties, so that you don’t leave people exposed.

“NSA and DSS to provide further information and form themselves the committee and review the structure.
“It should be effected. We face challenges of kidnapping and terrorism; we need all the forces we can utilise.

“I know some of our people are exposed and I understand that we have to make exceptional provision for them and the Civil Defence are equally armed and I want NSA to ensure our forest guards are armed too, so take it very seriously.

“On livestock reform, I think the vice president should get NEC, first of all, to see which village or grazing reserves that can be salvaged or rehabilitated into ranches, livestock settlements.

“We must eliminate the possibility of conflicts and turn livestock reform into economically viable development. The opportunity is there, let’s utilise it.

“Let’s exercise the constitutional requirement which states that land belong to states. Whichever one they can salvage, convert to livestock village, let us stop this conflict area and turn it to economic opportunities and prosperity.”