Police Declare VIP Escorts Illegal, Order Arrest of Officers on Such Duties

The Nigeria Police Force has announced that any officer found escorting or providing protection for Very Important Persons (VIPs) will be arrested, stating that such assignments are now illegal under the directive of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.

Force Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin delivered the warning on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He stressed that all officers previously assigned to VIP protection roles have been withdrawn and that strict enforcement is underway.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. Every one of them has been recalled,” Hundeyin said.

He added that the Inspector-General instructed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Special Protection Unit to deploy personnel to the Abuja airport to apprehend any officers escorting VIPs. A similar order was issued to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police for Lagos airport.

“That’s how seriously we take this,” he noted.

Hundeyin, however, clarified that some public office holders are still legally entitled to police protection.

“Yes, we have withdrawn police from VIPs, but I want you to know that there are certain government officials that are statutorily entitled to police officers and would retain their police protection till we get further clearer directives from the presidency,” he explained, naming governors and judges as examples.

The new enforcement follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive ordering the withdrawal of police escorts from VIPs to redeploy officers to core policing duties amid rising insecurity. The policy requires VIPs who need security to obtain armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

According to presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the initiative aims to redirect police manpower toward critical law enforcement needs, especially in rural communities with limited police presence.

The move comes as President Tinubu declared a nationwide state of security emergency in response to escalating kidnappings and terrorist attacks. As part of broader security reforms, he approved increased recruitment into both the police and armed forces, with the police set to add 20,000 new officers, raising total personnel strength to 50,000.

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