Nigerian Security Agencies Invoked Protective Restriction on VIPs

 

The Nigerian Security agencies have restricted the movement of some dignitaries. The object of this restriction is not to curtail their fundamental human rights to freedom of movement, but to protect them.

According to the report, the Very Important Personalities (VIPs) affected by the “protective” restriction include: the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, former-President Shehu Shagari, former military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and others are prominent emirs, governors, former-governors, ministers, former-ministers and some highly-placed Nigerians.

“The security agencies are usually updated with their movement schedules by their security details and where it is challenging to be in a place or an environment at any given period. But still there is a probability that something may go wrong when visiting any part of the Northeast – the heart of the Boko Haram insurgency”, the security source revealed.

It was learnt that where visits are inevitable, security will be strengthened to guarantee the passage of such personalities.

The travel advisory followed threats by Boko Haram to attack General Ibrahim Babangida and a former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari. Others targeted by the terrorists are Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and his Borno State counterpart, Kashim Shettima, a former Governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and the Shehu of Borno.

Although the security walls around some of those on the wanted list of the insurgents seem impenetrable, it was learnt that the agencies have decided to take preventive measures to avoid any problem.

“Security agencies don't want the politically-exposed persons to be either victims of the insurgents or be caught in crossfire”, the source said.

According to security source, the restriction is in form of travel advisory. It is part of their new proactive steps to check insurgents who can hit any target.

"The killing of Gen. Muhammadu Shuwa, the attacks on the Emir of Kano and Shehu of Borno and others have made this restriction necessary," the source reiterated.

Many former-governors, Senators and members of the House of Representatives enjoy such services. Among them is a former governor in the Northeast who was once quizzed on alleged link with Boko Haram. The on-going security readjustment must, therefore, be made to trickle down for all Nigerians to embrace the attainment of a personal security-sufficiency as a long-term aspirational goal.