A mild drama erupted in the Senate on Wednesday as Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) protested the withdrawal of his only police orderly. Ningi urged that the presidential directive ordering the removal of police escorts from VIPs be applied uniformly and not selectively target lawmakers.

During plenary, he described the action as discriminatory, noting that ministers, business executives, children of top officials, and even entertainers still move around with full police protection. He argued that removing his lone orderly while others retain extensive security coverage violates principles of fairness.

“I have seen convoys of ministers, Chinese business concerns, children of political office holders, and even singers with orderlies. But a Senator, who has served for a long time, has only one orderly—and he has been withdrawn,” Ningi said.
“Let it be done across the board. Senators should not be made scapegoats.”

Ningi urged the Senate President to direct the Committee on Police Affairs to investigate why the directive is allegedly being flouted.

Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, presiding over the session, assured Ningi that the Senate leadership had taken up the matter and was awaiting feedback. Barau revealed that the issue was discussed at a Senate leadership meeting and that steps were being taken to address the selective withdrawal of police orderlies.

“The Chairman of the Police Affairs Committee will investigate why some categories of persons still have policemen attached to them,” Barau said.
“The Senate leadership has agreed that Ningi’s police orderly should be restored, in line with international parliamentary practice.”

Barau emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s directive was intended to strengthen internal security by freeing police personnel from VIP duties, and praised Ningi for raising the concern, assuring that the matter “has been addressed.”