Nigeria Police Force clarifies that while over 11,500 escorts have been withdrawn as per President Tinubu’s order, some VIPs, including governors and judges, retain protection due to legal entitlements.
The Nigeria Police Force has clarified why some politicians and VIPs are still seen with police escorts despite President Bola Tinubu’s directive to withdraw officers from non-entitled individuals. Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, Force Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin said the withdrawal process is ongoing, noting that 11,566 officers previously assigned to VIPs have already been recalled. He explained, “There are government functionaries who are statutorily entitled to police protection, governors, judges, and some top government officials.
Pending further directives from the Presidency, those legally entitled will retain their security. But every other VIP not covered by law has had their officers withdrawn.” Hundeyin added that the IGP has ordered strict enforcement of the withdrawal, including the arrest of officers still escorting non-entitled VIPs, and that recalled personnel will undergo retraining and be redeployed to police divisions, the School Protection Squad, and military theatres to strengthen security. He acknowledged the Police Force is understaffed, with fewer than 400,000 officers for over 200 million Nigerians, and commended the government’s approval for the recruitment of 50,000 new officers.