Force PRO reveals what will happen to any Police officer escorting VIP
Force PRO reveals what will happen to any Police officer escorting VIP
The Nigeria Police Force has issued a fresh warning that any officer caught providing escort or protection for Very Important Persons (VIPs) will face immediate arrest, stressing that such duties are now prohibited under the directive of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.
Force spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin delivered the warning on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, noting that officers formerly deployed for VIP protection have been withdrawn nationwide and that strict enforcement is already underway.
Hundeyin stated, “The enforcement is on. The IGP gave the directive that any police officer found escorting VIPs be arrested because, definitely, he is on illegal duty. Every one of them has been recalled.”
He added that the police hierarchy has been instructed to monitor airports closely for violations: “The IGP ordered the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Special Protection Unit to go to the Abuja airport and station his men there and arrest any police officer found escorting VIPs.
“He gave the same order to the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State to go to the Lagos airport and arrest any police officer escorting VIPs. That’s how seriously we take this,” he said.
Hundeyin, however, explained that some public officials will continue to receive police protection, saying, “Yes, we have withdrawn police from VIPs but I want you to know that there are certain government officials that are statutory entitled to police officers and would retain their police protection till we get further clearer directives from the presidency.” He noted governors and judges as examples of those exempted.
The clampdown follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive ordering the withdrawal of VIP police escorts so officers can be reassigned to core policing duties amid worsening security concerns. Under the new policy, VIPs needing security are required to obtain armed protection from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said the decision is intended to redirect police manpower toward essential law-enforcement tasks, particularly in rural and underserved communities where insecurity has intensified.
The policy is being implemented alongside Tinubu’s declaration of a nationwide security emergency.
As part of the broader response, the President has approved expanded recruitment into security agencies, including the addition of 20,000 police personnel to raise the force strength to 50,000 officers.
