‘Bandits Are Targeting Us’: Wase Urges Tinubu to Review Withdrawal of Police From VIPs

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Idris Wase, on Wednesday called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review the directive ordering the withdrawal of police protection from Very Important Persons (VIPs), warning that the policy could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges.

Speaking during a plenary session, Wase said recent intelligence and recorded threats showed that criminal groups were increasingly targeting public officials. He cautioned that removing police escorts without a clear framework could expose lawmakers and citizens to greater risks.

“If we are not careful, this order will lead to more kidnappings,” Wase said. He referenced a video circulating online in which bandits claimed they planned to attack the President and other political leaders. “These criminals are unrepentant and openly boasting,” he added.

Wase compared Nigeria’s security manpower with other countries, noting the severe shortage of personnel in many communities. “In a small country like Egypt, with less than 100 million people, they have over five million police officers. But here, you can travel 20 to 30 kilometres without seeing a single police station,” he said.

He stressed that the issue was not about privilege for VIPs but public safety. “When you give criminals room to operate, the entire society suffers. The order should be reviewed and categorisation clearly defined,” he said.

The lawmaker highlighted the severity of insecurity particularly in the North and North-Central zones, where banditry and terrorism have resulted in significant losses. “In one year alone, bandits collected about N5 billion in ransom. More than 30,000 people have been killed within the Boko Haram and banditry cycle,” Wase noted.

According to him, many politicians and public officials in the region are unable to travel safely even on major highways after evening hours. “Once it is 6 p.m., I cannot travel from Abuja to Jos with confidence. Everyone knows what is happening on that road,” he said.

Wase appealed to President Tinubu to reconsider the withdrawal directive, urging that any security reform must prioritise citizen protection and the stability of communities already under heavy pressure from criminal groups.

He concluded that without an urgent review and clear classification of those requiring police protection, the country could face an increase in attacks, kidnappings, and loss of lives.