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

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“In line with the President’s directive, we have withdrawn a total of 11,566 personnel from VIP protection.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