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Former Kaduna Central senator, Comrade Shehu Sani, has described the planned withdrawal of police officers guarding Very Important Persons (VIPs) as a good decision given the country’s growing security challenges.
Nigeria has recently witnessed renewed violence, including repeated Boko Haram attacks on military and civilians in Borno, and bandit raids in Kebbi, Niger, Kwara and Bauchi States.
Amid the rising insecurity in the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that he was closely monitoring the security situation across the nation and committed to protecting all Nigerians.
During a meeting with security agencies on Sunday, the President directed that police officers currently attached to VIPs be withdrawn.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement on Sunday, noted that henceforth, police authorities would deploy their personnel to concentrate on core policing duties.
According to the Presidential directive, VIPs who require police protection are now expected to request armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Reacting to the development in a post on his X handle, Senator Sani expressed concern that the directive might end up as a mere statement without full implementation.
He wrote, “Withdrawal of Police from VIPs is a good idea and good policy statement in view of the nation’s urgent security needs, but it will only begin and end up as a statement.”
