The former deputy speaker of the house of representatives, Idris Wase, has urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the decision to withdraw police officers assigned to very important persons (VIPs).
On Sunday, the president ordered the immediate removal of police officers providing protection to VIPs nationwide.
Speaking during Wednesday’s plenary session of the house of representatives, Wase acknowledged the president’s intentions.
“I appreciate the president for his efforts,” he said.
“I appreciate his concern. It’s not about the VIPs. When you give criminals police to guard them, this is where I thought we should have this.
“The withdrawal order that has been given, I think, if we are not careful, there will be more now, because I watched a video where one of the kidnappers or bandits was boasting that they are going to get the head of the Mr. President. They are going after politicians, and these people are all unrepentant.”
He noted that lawmakers from the north-central zone face severe insecurity, making road travel unsafe for public officials.
“I want to appeal that there is a need to review that order,” he said.
“It’s a good order, but the categorisation has to be spelled out, because before you know it, this house will again come back faced with the same problem of kidnapping and whatever you have it.
“I don’t think there’s anybody that will say, ‘I can travel with my eyes open between here and Jos.’ Once it is 6 pm to get to Keffi, I’m scared, because I know what is happening. Kidnapping happens virtually everyday.”
Likewise, Aliyu Wamakko, senator representing Sokoto north, opposed the withdrawal of police protection for VIPs.
Speaking during Wednesday’s senate plenary, he expressed concerns about the potential consequences.
“I am afraid I have to disagree with the idea of withdrawing police aides to VIPs,” he said.
“That is going to constitute another danger, because the VIPs are going to be the next target, and the government will come back and revert the policy.
“Instead, the number of military attached to retired generals, they are too many. Let’s do something there as well, not only the VIPs, because they are also VIPs.”