The appropriateness or otherwise of security protection for a president’s family can be a subject of public debate. This debate is centred on the complex challenge of ensuring the safety of people connected to the presidency while being mindful of public accountability and the effective use of government resources.

This writer will focus solely on the provision of security for the president’s family, as understood, in layman’s terms. Recently, at a public function, President Tinubu’s son, Seyi,’s excessive security escort was criticized by Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka. The respected leader had argued that such resources were needed elsewhere.

From my study, it is standard international practice for a country’s president’s immediate family, including the children, to receive significant security protection. This is due to the high profile of the president and the potential national security risks that could arise from threats and various forms of harm to the president’s family members.

Nigeria is currently confronted by multiple security challenges like kidnapping and banditry, with the primary threat coming from the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWA) and Boko Haram. On that score, threatening or harming a president’s son, daughter, or wife could be used to blackmail the president and compromise his ability to perform state duties, thereby creating a national crisis. Thus, the goal of ‘excessively’ protecting the president’s family is to ensure the stability and continuity of the president’s function and, by extension, the nation, by mitigating high-level threats to the First Family.

I am not familiar with the local laws on the protection of private individuals, but, based on my research, in developed countries whose model of democracy Nigeria especially practices, such as the US, the provision of security by agencies like the DSS to the president’s immediate family is a federal law, not a discretionary choice.

The president’s family members often attend public schools or travel, requiring extensive, pre-planned security measures and an advance team to ensure their safety in such environments. Even the US law specifies that children of former presidents receive protection until they are 16 years old, unless declined.

In other climes, a sitting president can issue an executive order to extend protection to members of his family, including individuals not automatically covered by law. I will support this argument with two empirical evidence. Just before departing the White House, finally in January 2025, after the expiration of his constitutional two terms as president of the United States, Joe Biden extended protection for his adult children through the next seven months via an executive order.

That presidential order was critiqued by his successor, Donald Trump, and subsequently revoked by him. However, Trump himself did the same for his four adult children and two of their spouses before his first term ended in 2021, when they were given six months of additional protection beyond their stay in the government house. Thus, my interpretation of this subject is that, if it’s not unusual for a president before he leaves office to authorize an extended period of protection for their immediate family members, giving them full-time protection while holding the power is justified and not inappropriate.

-Tahir Hamsat is a Lagos-based journalist. He can be reached via 08051000485

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has dismissed public backlash over her interaction with Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, calling the reactions a “needless controversy.”

In a statement posted on her Facebook page on Tuesday, Mrs Tinubu said critics often magnify minor issues and create distractions around leadership. She wrote:

“Those entrusted with leadership understand their duties and how to steer the affairs of society.

“More often, it is the followers and critics who scrutinize every step, amplify minor missteps, and turn them into needless controversy. Ọṣun lè tèǹtẹ̀ – Osun is ahead.”

The comments followed a video clip from the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, which showed Adeleke pausing after breaking into a short song during his speech.

Mrs Tinubu walked to the podium, gestured to him, and whispered to him — a moment that quickly went viral and drew sharp reactions online.

The First Lady’s statement marks her first public response since the video circulated.

The episode has since divided opinion.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on the Bureau of Social Services, Akintunde Bello, said the First Lady should be cautioned, insisting that her gesture toward an elected governor was inappropriate.

Similarly, African Democratic Congress chieftain Dele Momodu criticised the act, describing it as bullying and alleging that Mrs Tinubu had “openly disgraced and embarrassed Adeleke before a global audience.”

Some, however, believe that Mrs Tinubu’s action was justified.

Dayo Fashola, an aide to a former Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, on her verified Facebook page, said the interaction between the duo was lighthearted.

“What transpired between Oluremi Tinubu and Adeleke was light‑hearted and isn’t as serious as people are making it seem,” Fashola wrote.

Similarly, Facebook user Oyetunji Ayoade defended the First Lady, writing, “The highest respect the First Lady can give to Osun people is to stand up and inform him by herself, and she did.”

Neither Governor Adeleke nor the Presidency has issued further comments, even as the incident continues to dominate social media discussions.

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested a 32-year-old man, Ahmed Abubakar, for allegedly attempting to procure ammunition for bandits operating in Zamfara State.

Abubakar, reportedly from Gusau but residing in Anguwan Dodo, Gwagwalada, was picked up by operatives of the Mabushi Division on December 7, following what the police described as credible intelligence.

Security expert Zagazola Makama, in a post on X on Tuesday, stated that the suspect had allegedly contacted a serving soldier, Corporal Yusuf Mohammed, to help him source 1,000 rounds of ammunition, purportedly for bandit groups in Zamfara, in exchange for a cash reward.

“The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested a 32-year-old man suspected of attempting to procure ammunition for bandits operating in Zamfara State. Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect, identified as Ahmed Abubakar of Gusau, Zamfara State, and currently residing at Anguwan Dodo, Gwagwalada, was arrested on December 7 at about 3:30 pm by operatives of the Mabushi Division following credible intelligence.

“Sources said the suspect had allegedly contacted a Nigerian Army personnel, Cpl Yusuf Mohammed, to help him procure 1,000 rounds of ammunition, which he claimed were meant for bandits in Zamfara for a monetary reward,” he wrote.

According to Makama, Abubakar reportedly confessed during interrogation that he was acting on the instructions of his uncle, one Ahmed Yakubu, who lives at the same address but is currently on the run.

Yakubu was said to have instructed him to buy the ammunition and transport it to Zamfara for use by bandits in their area.

Makama added that the police recovered N170,100 from the suspect, believed to be part of the funds intended for the illegal purchase.

“The Command said the suspect is currently in custody, undergoing further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to track down his fleeing accomplice,” he added.

The FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, could not be reached for comments, as calls to her telephone line were not answered. A text message sent to her had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.

The development comes amid recurring attacks and kidnappings carried out by bandits in the area.

It was reported in September that operatives of the Edo State Police Command arrested a 42-year-old man, Ogbole Henry, for alleged possession of arms and ammunition.