The Nigerian Senate has expressed serious concerns over the withdrawal of Police orderlies attached to senators, worried that the move could expose members to unnecessary danger.
Worried about the situation, Deputy President of the Senate , Barau Jibrin disclosed that the leadership of the Senate held an emergency meeting on the issue on Tuesday, with the hope of positive feedback as it seeks to secure
exemption for lawmakers from the Presidential directive.
President Bola Tinubu had on the 23rd of November issued a stern directive calling for the withdrawal of Police officers attached to “Very Important Persons”, VIPs in the country to make available more hands to tackle Nigeria’s internal security challenges.
About 11, 000 police officers are currently engaged on such assignments across the country.
The push for possible exemption for Senators followed a Point of Order by Senator, Abdul Ningi, (PDP, Bauchi Central), who lamented the withdrawal of his lone police orderly in compliance with the directive of the President.
Ningi said while he has no issues with the withdrawal , he expressed disappointment at the manner the directive of the President is being flouted and called for a strict compliance with the directive starting from the Presidency, the Office of the Vice President , and Federal Ministers.
The Bauchi Senator said while his own police orderly has been withdrawn, he continues to see some businessmen including Chinese citizens and celebrity singers being escorted by contingents of police officers in brazen disregard to the directive of the President.
Based on the revelations by Senator Ningi, the Senate mandated its Committee on Police Affairs to immediately conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged disregard of the President’s directive .
The Committee has 4 weeks to complete the assignment and revert to senate at plenary.
Omo Bazuaye
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