‘Our Lives Are in Danger, Bandits Will Start Targeting Us’ — Senator Wammako Kicks Against Withdrawal of Police From VIPs

A heated debate erupted in the Senate on Wednesday as Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako strongly opposed the recent directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordering the withdrawal of police officers assigned to Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country.

 

The senator warned that the move could endanger the lives of public officials and other prominent Nigerians who already operate under significant security threats.

 

Speaking during plenary, Senator Wammako said the directive, although well-intentioned, could have far-reaching consequences. According to him, the sudden withdrawal of police escorts from VIPs would expose them to targeted attacks by bandits, kidnappers, and criminal gangs who are increasingly emboldened across different parts of the country.

 

“I have to disagree with the idea of withdrawing police from VIPs. That is another danger because the VIPs are going to be the next target,” he warned, stressing that high-profile individuals already face daily security risks due to the rising wave of politically motivated attacks, kidnappings for ransom, and terrorism.

 

Wammako, a former governor of Sokoto State, noted that the current security challenges require the government to reinforce, not reduce, personal security for those who are likely to be singled out by criminals. He argued that the new directive could embolden violent groups who often view state officials and wealthy individuals as prime targets for abduction or assassination.

 

A Controversial Presidential Directive

 

The controversy began after News Week Nigeria reported that President Tinubu had ordered the withdrawal of police officers currently attached to VIPs nationwide. The directive, issued during a high-level security meeting in Abuja, mandates that police personnel deployed as escorts or personal guards for politicians, business figures, and other influential individuals be recalled and redeployed to general policing duties.

 

According to the presidency, the purpose of the decision is to refocus the police on their “core policing responsibilities” and to ensure that more officers are available to combat rising insecurity across the country, particularly in rural areas and communities that have been left vulnerable due to insufficient police manpower.

 

Present at the meeting were the National Security Adviser, service chiefs from the Army and Air Force, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS). The meeting reportedly emphasized the need for more boots on the ground as Nigeria continues to battle banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, and other threats.

 

Under the new arrangement, VIPs who still require personal protection will now be able to request well-armed operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), rather than relying on the police.

 

‘Nigeria Must Not Submit to Bandits’ — Wammako

 

Senator Wammako stressed that the primary challenge before the government should not be reassigning police escorts but rather eliminating the criminal gangs terrorizing citizens.

 

He argued that Nigeria must intensify its security operations and take the fight directly to bandits, instead of adopting measures that could inadvertently empower them.

 

“Instead of withdrawing protection, the government should focus on flushing out the bandits. Nigeria should not submit to them; they should submit to Nigeria,” he declared.

 

His remarks reflect a broader national sentiment, as many citizens have expressed concerns about escalating insecurity, especially in the northern region where banditry and kidnapping have become widespread. Several lawmakers from states affected by insecurity have previously warned that government institutions risk losing credibility if public officials continue to fall victim to criminal attacks.

 

A Longstanding Debate Over Police Deployment

 

Nigeria has long struggled with the distribution of police personnel. While the country has an estimated 370,000 police officers, a significant portion is assigned to VIPs, politicians, business magnates, and private institutions. In some cases, individuals have been found with dozens of officers assigned to them, leaving communities understaffed and police stations overstretched.

 

Security experts argue that diverting police officers from traditional policing duties contributes to rising crime rates, as patrol teams are often outnumbered or unable to respond rapidly to incidents.

 

President Tinubu’s decision appears to be aimed at addressing this imbalance. By recalling officers from VIPs, the government hopes to strengthen police presence in the general population and improve security outcomes.

 

However, critics say the policy must be implemented carefully and gradually. They insist that VIPs — especially elected officials, judges, senior government figures, and individuals under security threats — require continuous protection due to the nature of their roles.

 

Mixed Reactions From Lawmakers and the Public

 

Following Wammako’s comments, reactions poured in across social media, with some Nigerians agreeing that VIPs face legitimate threats, while many others insisted that the police should prioritize communal policing over private protection.

 

Some citizens argue that if VIPs experience the same security challenges that ordinary Nigerians face daily, it could increase pressure on the government to take more decisive action against bandits and terrorists.

 

Others believe that replacing police escorts with NSCDC officers is acceptable, provided the personnel are well-trained and equipped for high-risk protection duties.

 

Despite these debates, the federal government appears determined to carry out the directive, though details of the implementation timeline are yet to be made public.

 

What Comes Next?

 

As insecurity remains a top national concern, the withdrawal of police officers from VIPs is likely to be one of the most debated security policies of 2025. Stakeholders say the government must find a balance between strengthening national security and ensuring the personal safety of individuals who may be at greater risk of targeted attacks.

 

For Senator Wammako and others raising concerns, the ultimate message is clear: without comprehensive efforts to defeat banditry, any reduction in protective security could prove dangerous.

 

For now, Nigerians will be watching how the policy unfolds — and whether it helps strengthen security nationwide or creates new vulnerabilities for the country’s political class and influential citizens.