A heated debate erupted in the Senate on Wednesday when Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) protested the removal of his personal police security under the Federal Government’s new directive.
Ningi contended that the measure, intended to release officers for general security duties across the country, was being applied unfairly.
He insisted on its uniform implementation for every privileged Nigerian benefiting from police protection.
The senator highlighted to his colleagues that while he complied with the order from the Presidency and the Inspector General of Police, many other top political actors, business moguls, and entertainers were still permitted to move around accompanied by full police escorts.
The directive, announced last week, is part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader push to reposition the Nigeria Police Force amid worsening insecurity, overstretched manpower, and decades-long misuse of officers for personal protection.
He argued that the decision amounted to unfair treatment, particularly towards members of the National Assembly who regularly face significant public exposure and threats linked to their legislative duties.
“It should be done across the board. Let us see what happens from the office of the President to the Vice President, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, ministers, governors, business concerns, and even the sons and daughters of political office holders.
“I have seen singers and foreign business owners with police escorts. But a senator has his only orderly withdrawn? It is unfair,” he protested.
Ningi urged the Senate leadership to mandate its Committee on Police Affairs to investigate what he called “selective enforcement,” stressing that the National Assembly should not be targeted while other influential Nigerians continue to enjoy unrestricted police protection.
Persecondnews reports that his complaint resonates with a long-running national debate over the routine deployment of thousands of police officers to private individuals—a practice security experts say weakens public safety.
Responding, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, acknowledged the concerns and disclosed that the issue had already been tabled at a Senate leadership meeting held on Tuesday.
He assured senators that steps had been initiated to engage the relevant authorities.
He directed the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs to look into the matter and report back, adding that President Tinubu’s directive was issued to strengthen internal security, not to expose lawmakers.
“The issue you raised is taken seriously. The leadership has agreed that the necessary action should be taken to restore your police orderliness because it aligns with international practice.
“We also believe Mr President will listen, as the directive was not meant to deprive lawmakers unfairly,” Sen. Barau said.
Barau reiterated the Senate’s support for the administration’s ongoing security reforms, noting that while the directive was well-intentioned, any signs of selective enforcement must be promptly addressed to maintain public confidence.
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