A senior member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Idris Wase, has raised alarm over what he described as escalating threats to lawmakers’ lives following the withdrawal of police escorts from VIPs. He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently review the directive, warning that bandits are now directly targeting public officials.
Wase, a former Deputy Speaker, said the decision to strip legislators, political leaders, and other high-profile figures of police protection had left them exposed at a time when insecurity remains widespread across many parts of the country. He stressed that several lawmakers, including himself, had received credible threats in recent weeks.
Addressing colleagues during plenary, the Plateau-born lawmaker stated that the withdrawal order—part of a broader reform of police duties—failed to consider the level of risk faced by public office holders. “Bandits are threatening us,” he said, insisting that the government must not “play politics” with security.
He argued that legislators frequently travel to dangerous regions while performing official oversight duties, making police escorts essential rather than a luxury. Removing protection, he said, puts both lawmakers and the communities they serve in greater danger.
Wase urged the Tinubu administration and the Police Service Commission to create a more balanced policy that preserves security sector reforms without exposing VIPs to avoidable harm. He emphasised the need for improved policing strategies that tackle insecurity at its roots rather than weakening frontline protection.
Other lawmakers echoed his concerns, warning that the country could witness a spike in targeted attacks if the government fails to reconsider the directive. Several representatives called for a full security review before implementing any policy that may compromise national stability.
The matter has now been referred to the House Committee on Police Affairs, which is expected to engage with the police authorities and report back with recommendations on how to safeguard public officials while advancing security reforms.
