Senator Ali Ndume criticises excessive police protection for lawmakers and VIPs, saying better security in Abuja would remove the need for large convoys and personal police escorts.
Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has urged the Federal Government to extend President Bola Tinubu’s directive on withdrawing police officers from VIP security duties to the National Assembly, accusing some lawmakers of abusing security privileges.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ndume argued that the number of police personnel assigned to lawmakers is excessive, adding that some legislators even place police officers on their wives and children — a practice he described as “insulting.”
“I expected not to see so many police officers in the National Assembly today, but the place is still crowded with police,” he said. “Some of my colleagues have police attached to their wives and children. What is their business with that?”
Ndume also narrated how a legislator’s adult son moves around Abuja with a convoy, questioning why ordinary citizens remain unprotected while VIPs enjoy overwhelming security.
He said securing the Federal Capital Territory should eliminate the need for police escorts for politicians.
‘Even President Tinubu’s Convoy Is Too Large’
Ndume further claimed that President Tinubu’s convoy is unnecessarily long.
“If Abuja is secure, even the President can drive himself,” he said. “But when VIPs are overprotected while everyday Nigerians are left vulnerable, the system is unbalanced.”
When asked if police attached to him should also be withdrawn, Ndume said he only keeps an orderly for legal and procedural reasons, rejecting additional personnel previously assigned to him.
Satellite Monitoring & Rising Insecurity
Ndume also dismissed Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s claim that Nigeria has an effective satellite monitoring system, insisting the country lacks the capacity to track criminal activities — including recent abductions in the North-East.
He disclosed that 13 teenage girls were abducted by ISWAP in his constituency with no updates from security agencies.
“We only have four satellites. The U.S. has over 8,500. If we had the capacity claimed, why didn’t we locate the abducted girls?” he asked.
FG Begins Withdrawing Police From VIP Duties
The presidency recently ordered the immediate withdrawal of police personnel attached to VIPs as part of its new security strategy.
Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun announced that 11,566 officers have already been recalled and redeployed to underserved communities.
He described the move as “patriotic and operationally prudent,” designed to strengthen frontline policing across Nigeria.