How VIPs Jostling For NSCDC Officers After 11,000 Policemen’s Withdrawal
Following the withdrawal of 11,566 policemen by the authorities, prominent Nigerians have revealed plans to apply to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for orderlies and security escorts.
The move, ordered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is part of an aggressive push to redirect overstretched security manpower to escalating nationwide threats—including kidnapping spikes in Kwara, Kebbi, Niger and other parts of the North.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun said the recall of police from VIP duties was neither punitive nor political but was designed to refocus policing on communities ravaged by crime.
“In line with the President’s directive, we have withdrawn a total of 11,566 personnel from VIP protection. These officers are being redeployed to critical policing duties immediately,” he announced.
Egbetokun said the reallocation will strengthen rural and township security, improve intelligence-led operations, and boost rapid response capacity.
He warned that the implementation must be guarded against abuse by criminals posing as law enforcement agents.
“The withdrawal is not a retreat from responsibility, but a reclamation of it.”
The IGP also cited recent abductions in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger states as justification for redeploying officers from VIP corridors to troubled zones.
Among recent successes, Egbetokun said the police arrested 451 suspects for armed robbery, 356 for kidnapping, 534 murder suspects, 129 for culpable homicide suspects, 173 persons for unlawful possession of firearms, 312 rape suspects and 282 suspected cultists.
Despite the sweeping directive, police insiders told The PUNCH that many officers had quietly resumed VIP assignments.
A source who doesn’t want to be named because he was not permitted to speak to journalists said some of his colleagues on VIP duties are back.
“Those on VIPs’ duties are returning. I saw some of them today. In my office, two of them are back. This time around I think the directive will be effective with what I have seen on the ground, “one source said.
Another police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, added, “ Officers are being reassigned to their previous duties gradually. I don’t know the VIPs they were withdrawn from but our colleagues are returning.”
Findings by The PUNCH revealed that several political bigwigs—among them former SDP presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo and suspended PDP National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu—were among VIPs whose police details were abruptly recalled.
At a high-profile meeting in the Central Business District on Thursday morning, The PUNCH spotted the former SDP standard-bearer flanked by NSCDC personnel alongside armed private guards dressed in black. Efforts made to reach Adebayo to confirm the withdrawal of his police escorts were unsuccessful as his line was unavailable.
Meanwhile, suspended PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, admitted that his police orderlies had also been withdrawn.
Speaking in a phone interview on Thursday, he expressed support for the policy, but urged the government to prioritise “elder statesmen and national officers of political parties.”
“I support their withdrawal. Nigeria as a government is lacking in terms of manpower in the police. The police officers who are engaged with the VIPs have also mismanaged that position.”
However, he added a caveat: “They should prioritise it. They should know the calibre of people and take a look at their potential to be able to know who really meets the requirements of VIPs. They should do a proper recording and documentation of these police officers.”
Asked if he would turn to private guards, he replied, “How can I be using private guards? I’m entitled to police escorts. I’m a national official of a political party and also a senator. But I have applied to the NSCDC for manpower. In fact, I even prefer them because they are well trained too.”
Vice Chairman of the APC (South-East), Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu, warned that depriving VIPs of protection could backfire.
“No, they didn’t withdraw my security aides. That’s one. In the House of Reps and the Senate yesterday (Wednesday), they spoke against that, because if they withdraw security aides from VIPs, it could be another level of insecurity.
“Of course, VIPs are prime targets, especially with politicians. So, I don’t think that the IGP will implement all of it. Of course, it is big news if any VIP is affected by any form of insecurity. That is why it’s called VIP, Very Important Personality,” he said.
While thanking the president for taking the bold moves, the APC chieftain also backed the call for priority to be given to certain VIPs, saying escorts should not be given to everyone.
“I agree with giving priority to certain persons of importance. In everything, prioritising is important. We shouldn’t be having a situation where some traders will be seen going about with 10 police details.
#PunchNewspaper