The Federal Government’s directive to withdraw police officers from VIP protection duties has been widely undermined, with many officers reportedly returning to service through disguises, bribery, and informal arrangements, The Legalobserver has learned.
Sources revealed that some officers affected by the withdrawal have donned vigilante or NSCDC uniforms to avoid detection while continuing their assignments. Others are working as private drivers or wearing corporate suits, yet still provide armed protection. In some cases, officers who returned their service rifles were able to get the same weapons reissued after paying up to ₦500,000.
The directive, issued by President Bola Tinubu through Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, was aimed at redeploying officers to core policing duties amid escalating insecurity across Nigeria, including kidnappings in Kebbi and Niger states. Tinubu had advised that VIPs requiring protection should rely on the NSCDC and approved recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel.
Despite these measures, enforcement has largely been symbolic, with monitoring teams arresting a few officers only for them to be quickly released. Sources argue that the withdrawal has not reduced police deployment to private individuals, instead benefiting senior officers financially while the practice persists.
Some politicians, including senators, have resisted the directive, citing security concerns during constituency visits. This is not the first attempt to reduce VIP protection, as past administrations also struggled with enforcement.
