‘Some ministers attach officers to wives, children’ — Ndume backs withdrawal of police from VIPs

Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south, says he fully supports the directive ordering the withdrawal of police officers from very important persons (VIPs).

On Sunday, President Bola Tinubu ordered the removal of police personnel attached to VIPs across the country.

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, had said the officers would be reassigned to core policing duties amid rising insecurity.

The presidency said the decision forms part of a wider national security strategy aimed at boosting police efficiency and strengthening public safety.

Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), later said 11,566 officers had been withdrawn in line with the presidential directive.

Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme, Ndume said the order is one of Tinubu’s “most commendable decisions” and should be carried out without delay.

The lawmaker said some ministers had police officers attached not only to themselves but also to their spouses and children.

“We should see it on the ground,” he said.

“I thought I would not see policemen at the national assembly today but I saw so many of them there today.”

Ndume said he had rejected the number of officers previously assigned to him.

“I was attached three policemen but that was a big crowd for me so I refused,” he said.

“I insisted that if there’s going to be any attachment of police to me then it should be an orderly.”

The Borno lawmaker said the presence of an officer is to monitor his movement, not to protect him.

“So I am of the opinion that all these policemen be withdrawn from VIPs,” he said.

“You can imagine that some of my colleagues, like ministers, have police attached to their wives and children. What’s their business with that?”

Ndume recalled visiting the house of a colleague and seeing “more than 10 policemen” assigned to him despite the lawmaker being junior to him in the senate.

He said some VIP convoys are so large that they create the impression that the president or vice-president is commuting.

“You can see even the president, the convoy that the president goes about with is too much,” he said.

“Secure the place and when the president goes, you withdraw.”

He said the national security architecture should prioritise securing communities rather than shielding individuals.

“If you secure Abuja, then you can drive at night and let me tell you, this is what is happening in most countries,” he added.