The Nigeria Police Force has declared that officers providing escort or protection for VIPs will be arrested, describing such assignments as “illegal duty” under a directive from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. Force PRO Benjamin Hundeyin said on Channels Television that all officers attached to VIPs have been withdrawn, stressing that strict orders have been issued to senior commanders to arrest any defaulting personnel at airports in Abuja and Lagos.
He explained that “The enforcement is on,” adding that “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.” Hundeyin also noted that President Bola Tinubu’s instruction is absolute and aims to redeploy officers to core policing duties amid rising insecurity.