President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a fresh directive ordering the immediate withdrawal of police escorts and guards attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) across Nigeria.
The officers are to be redeployed to core policing duties, especially in underserved communities facing security shortages.
The decision was announced after a high-level security meeting at the State House in Abuja and confirmed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
VIPs Must Now Apply to NSCDC for Escorts
According to the presidency, VIPs who still require security protection will no longer rely on the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). Instead, they must apply to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for official escorts.
Top security leaders present at the meeting included:
- Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu
- Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke
- Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun
- Director-General of DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi
Why Tinubu Issued the Directive
Tinubu has repeatedly emphasised that thousands of police officers remain assigned to politicians, business elites and wealthy individuals, while rural and vulnerable communities lack adequate security presence.
Onanuga explained:
“Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult… President Tinubu is eager to boost police presence in all communities.”
He also announced plans to recruit 30,000 additional police officers and upgrade training facilities in partnership with state governments.
A Long History of Failed Police Escort Withdrawals
Tinubu’s directive is not the first. For over two decades, multiple Inspectors-General of Police have attempted to withdraw officers from VIP duties — but implementation has consistently collapsed.
1. 2003 – Tafa Balogun’s Withdrawal and Reversal
IGP Tafa Balogun ordered the withdrawal of police orderlies from judges and politicians, arguing that too many officers were diverted to private protection.
Backlash followed, especially from judicial leaders. Within a month, the order was partially reversed.
2. 2009 – Onovo’s Strict Order That Didn’t Last
IGP Ogbonnaya Onovo warned officers against serving as private orderlies and threatened dismissal.
However, he later made exemptions for governors’ wives and other VIPs, diluting the reform.
3. 2010 – Ringim’s Threats and Monitoring Unit
IGP Hafiz Ringim threatened arrests and prosecution for officers who disobeyed the withdrawal order.
Still, the directive soon collapsed.
4. 2012 – Abubakar Cancels All Private Guards
Acting IGP Mohammed Abubakar cancelled all police protections for private individuals and corporate bodies as part of restoring professionalism — but enforcement weakened over time.
5. 2016 – Arase Pushes Redeployment
IGP Solomon Arase insisted Nigeria was “grossly under-policed” and ordered immediate redeployment of officers serving individuals.
The order had limited long-term effect.
6. 2018 – Idris Orders Sweeping Withdrawal
IGP Ibrahim Idris ordered the withdrawal of all police officers assigned to VIPs to improve policing.
The policy again struggled to stay in force.
7. 2020 – Adamu’s Withdrawal After #EndSARS
Following the SARS disbandment, IGP Mohammed Adamu ordered withdrawals but made key exemptions for top political offices.
8. 2023 – Egbetokun Removes PMF From VIP Duties
Acting IGP Kayode Egbetokun stopped the Police Mobile Force (PMF) from serving VIPs.
Clarifications later revealed the order applied only to PMF, not all police units.
9. 2025 – Renewed Concerns Over Diversion
In April 2025, Egbetokun revisited the issue, calling VIP assignments a “distraction” for tactical units, yet elite influence again weakened implementation.
Will Tinubu’s Order Finally Bring Change?
For more than 20 years, attempts to withdraw police from VIP duties have been:
- Announced
- Celebrated
- Criticised
- Then quietly abandoned
The recurring failures point to:
- entrenched political interests,
- elite resistance,
- and the high personal value placed on police escorts.
Despite the skepticism, many Nigerians hope this fresh order will boost police presence, improve response time, and enhance safety in communities suffering from rising lawlessness.
