VIPs turn to NSCDC as Federal Govt withdraws Police Operatives from orderly duties

Published

2 months ago

November 28, 2025

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VIPs turn to NSCDC as Federal Govt withdraws Police Operatives from orderly duties

Following the decision to withdraw 11,566 police personnel from VIP protection, several high-profile Nigerians are now preparing to seek alternative security support from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The directive, issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is part of a broader strategy to reassign limited security resources to worsening national threats, particularly rising kidnapping incidents in Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, and other northern states.

Speaking at a briefing in Abuja, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun emphasised that the withdrawal was not driven by politics or sanctions but by urgent operational needs.

“In line with the President’s directive, we have withdrawn a total of 11,566 personnel from VIP protection.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.

He explained that shifting officers back to frontline duties would bolster surveillance in distressed communities, strengthen intelligence-gathering, and improve emergency response.

However, he cautioned that the transition must be closely monitored to prevent exploitation by impostors.

“The withdrawal is not a retreat from responsibility, but a reclamation of it.”

The police chief pointed to recent waves of abductions in several northern states as clear justification for redirecting resources from VIP protection to crime-plagued areas.

Egbetokun also highlighted recent operational gains, listing the arrest of 451 armed robbery suspects, 356 kidnappers, 534 murder suspects, 129 suspects in culpable homicide cases, 173 individuals for unlawful possession of firearms, 312 rape suspects, and 282 alleged cultists.

Yet despite the far-reaching directive, police insiders told The PUNCH that some officers removed from VIP duties had quietly returned to their former posts.

One officer, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak, said colleagues were already resuming assignments.
“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 officer confirmed similar developments, saying, “Officers are being reassigned to their previous duties gradually. I don’t know the VIPs they were withdrawn from but our colleagues are returning.”

Investigations showed that several influential figures—including former SDP presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo and suspended PDP National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, were among those affected by the sudden recall of police escorts.

During a meeting in the Abuja Central Business District on Thursday, Adebayo was observed accompanied by NSCDC operatives and armed private guards clad in black. Attempts to reach him for clarification were unsuccessful.

Suspended PDP National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu confirmed in a telephone interview with The Punch that his police orderlies had been recalled. While supporting the policy, he urged the government to ensure that “elder statesmen and national officers of political parties” were adequately considered.

“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,” he said.

However, he stressed the need for proper screening and categorisation.
“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 whether he would resort to private security, 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.”

Meanwhile, APC South-East Vice Chairman Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu cautioned that completely stripping VIPs of protection could have unintended consequences, warning that the policy must be implemented with balance and foresight.

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Reaction as Atiku’s Son defects to APC, backs President Tinubu’s reelection in 2027

Published

25 minutes ago

January 16, 2026

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Reaction as Atiku’s Son defects to APC, backs President Tinubu’s reelection in 2027

Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has addressed his son Abba Abubakar’s decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a personal choice.

In a statement posted on his X handle, Atiku said, “The decision of my son, Abba Abubakar, to join the APC is entirely personal. In a democracy, such choices are neither unusual nor alarming, even when family and politics intersect.”

He added, “As a democrat, I do not coerce my own children in matters of conscience, and I certainly will not coerce Nigerians.”

The former vice president also highlighted his concerns about the ruling party, saying, “What truly concerns me is the poor governance of the APC and the severe economic and social hardships it has imposed on our people.”

“ I remain resolute in working with like-minded patriots to restore good governance and offer Nigerians a credible alternative that brings relief, hope, and progress.”

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JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas

Published

8 hours ago

January 15, 2026

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JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, declaring that the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will be heading the council for a period of 2 years.

The declaration follows the passing of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the state House of Assembly, and the signing of the same into law by the governor.

Recall that the lawmakers had amended Clause 5 of Section 28 of the Chieftaincy Law to make the Council chairmanship rotational among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Soun of Ogbomoso, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

While inaugurating the Council, Governor Makinde said he had consulted with the trio of the Alaafin, the Olubadan and the Soun, with the three of them reaching a consensus that the chairmanship should start with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Ladoja.

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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun

Published

10 hours ago

January 15, 2026

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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun

The Inspector General of Police (I-GP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has assured that the police remained committed to community policing to ensure that criminals were drastically reduced in the country.
The I-GP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector of Police ( AIG) Zone 17, Dr Ajani Musibau, stated this at the Police Community Relations Committee ( PCRC) National Leadership Training and Conference on Thursday in Akure.
The theme of the conference is: “Inclusivity and Diversity: the New Leadership Paradigm.”
He said that security could not be achieved by only the police, but with the support from the community.
The I-GP stated that security was a joint work and responsibility of all, commending the current leadership of the Nigeria Police for a paradigm shift towards modern policing.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr Adebowale Lawal, said that bandits could not infiltrate the state due to community policing strategy embraced by the command.
He explained that bandits would have infiltrated the state through Kogi and Edo, but intelligence reports from members of PCRC had been a great help to the police command.
According to him, the support and logistics received from the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun and Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa had also motivated police personnel to work earnestly.
He said that effective community policing was a sure way to curb activities of criminals, and implored members of the public not to relent in their efforts to provide police and other security agencies with useful information.
Lawal also commended other conventional security agencies, forest guards and vigilantes for their support to the police in fighting bandits
In his remarks, the National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Ibrahim Mogaji said that the conference was to strengthen leaders of PCRC in the South-West zone and encourage them to redouble their efforts and support in fighting crimes.
According to Mogaji, the occasion also enabled the association to appreciate Gov. Aiyedatiwa, I-GP, the AIG Zone 17 and the state Commissioner of Police.
He advised the participants to moblise other members of PCRC and orientate them on their roles to continue to fight crime in the country.
The PCRC national chairman asked Nigerians to respect the dignity of police and to be civil when interacting with them.
Mogaji said that the leadership training would be replicated in other geo-political zones of the country.
Also, Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba, commended the PCRC , AIG Zone 17, and the Commissioner of Police for their unrelenting efforts to guarantee peace across the state.
Aiyedatiwa promised that the state government would give PCRC attention and continue to support police and other security agencies with appropriate logistics that would make policing more effective.
A guest lecturer, Comrade Yinka Folarin asked members of the public to give respect and dignity to members of the police, saying that they also had rights that must be respected.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PCRC honoured Gov. Aiyedatiwa, AIG Zone 17 and the Commissioner of Police with awards. (NAN)