By our reporter
The Chairman of forum of former members of Enugu State House of Assembly and Former southeast spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Denge.Josef Onoh has warned about the potential danger of the president’s directive to withdraw police protection from VIPs will affect the country negatively and promote high crime.
Onoh while addressing journalists in Kano state, shared his reservation against such directive.
Onoh highlighted his tenure as a member of the Enugu State House of Assembly (2003–2007), where he chaired the Committee on Finance and Appropriation, to my roles as Senior Special Adviser on Domestic Matters, Security, and Special Projects under former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
He was later appointed a commissioner, office of the Governor and Executive Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA).
Onoh said that it was in those positions that he witnessed firsthand the intricate interplay between governance, security, and public welfare.
He particularly pointed at the EndSARS crisis and IPOB sit at-home protests and unknown gunmen menace in the southeast.
“As the founder of the Asiwaju Renewed Mandate South East (ARMSE) and your Southeast spokesman in 2023 Presidential campaign, I remain steadfast in my support for His Excellency’s Renewed Hope agenda. Yet, it is precisely because of this unwavering loyalty that I must speak out today on a policy directive that, while well-intentioned, risks exacerbating the very insecurity it seeks to address.
“Nigeria stands at a perilous crossroads. In November 2025 alone, our nation has been gripped by a surge in violent abductions and attacks that have shattered communities and tested our collective resolve.
“Over the past year (July 2024–June 2025), Nigeria recorded 4,722 kidnappings in 997 incidents, resulting in 762 deaths, with ransom demands totaling 48 billion naira—fueling a structured, profit-driven criminal industry.
“It is against this backdrop of escalating threats that Mr. President issued a directive to withdraw over 11,566 police personnel from VIP protection duties—redeploying them to core public security roles while shifting elite safeguards to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)—must be urgently reconsidered.
“I commend Mr. President’s bold vision to bolster community policing and approval for the recruitment of 30,000 new officers, a step that aligns with our shared goal of safeguarding every Nigerian.
Meanwhile, Wammakko also called for a similar consultation for the removal as early saying our life is at risk.
You need to consider, the removal as we will be the next target, he lamanted. The opinion of Wammakko and Onuh almost goes a like.
It will be recalled after the Kebbi, Maga school girls attack and st. May attack by bandits that led 300 school girls abducted, he order IGP immediately withdrawal of VIP.
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