Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Nigeria Police Force has vowed to arrest any of its personnel found escorting Very Important Persons (VIPs), insisting that such assignments are now illegal.
The move underscores the seriousness of the recent directive banning police escorts for VIPs. The Force said the decision became necessary due to insufficient manpower to effectively police the country.
Recall that Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, last week ordered the withdrawal of all police officers attached to VIPs.
Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, reaffirmed the directive on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He stated that all officers previously deployed for VIP protection have been fully recalled, and enforcement is actively underway.
“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. Everyone of them has been recalled,” Hundeyin said.
According to him, the IGP directed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Special Protection Unit to station operatives at the Abuja airport to arrest any officer found escorting VIPs. A similar order was issued to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police regarding the Lagos airport.
“That’s how seriously we take this,” he added.
Hundeyin, however, clarified that certain categories of public officials remain statutorily entitled to police protection.
“Yes, we have withdrawn police from VIPs, but I want you to know that there are certain government officials who are statutorily entitled to police officers and will retain their police protection until we receive clearer directives from the presidency,” he explained.
Although he did not list all affected officials, he identified governors and judges as examples.
The policy shift follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive ordering the withdrawal of police escorts from VIPs to redeploy personnel to core policing duties amid rising insecurity nationwide.
Under the new arrangement, any VIP requiring security must engage well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
