Wole Soyinka has criticised what he called an excessive deployment of security personnel around President Bola Tinubu’s son, warning that such displays distort national security priorities. He spoke on Tuesday at the 20th Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism Awards in Lagos.
He recounted an encounter at a hotel in Ikoyi where he saw what appeared to be a film set. He said a young man stepped forward to greet him politely, but the number of armed operatives surrounding him raised concern. Soyinka said about 15 officers formed a tight security ring around the president’s son.
He described the group as heavily armed and compared their presence to a small battalion. He added that the deployment looked strong enough to take over a small neighbouring country. The writer said he later asked the National Security Adviser if the detail was official, noting that he found it hard to believe such a force would accompany a family member of the head of state.
Soyinka suggested, with sarcasm, that the government would not need to deploy the military to confront unrest when the president’s son already appears to move with a formidable team. He said the president could call on him to put down any uprising, given the strength of the escort he witnessed.
He stressed that children of leaders should not receive security arrangements that overshadow national priorities. He warned that such practices weaken the country’s security structure and send the wrong message during a period of widespread insecurity.
His remarks feed into wider public debate about security privileges extended to politically connected individuals, especially at a time when many citizens face growing threats with limited protection.
