The Nigeria Police Force has issued a stern warning that any officer found providing escort services or protection to Very Important Persons will face immediate arrest, as such assignments are now considered “illegal duty” under the current directive from Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, made this known during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday, December 2, emphasizing that enforcement of the directive is already in full swing.
Hundeyin revealed that all police personnel previously attached to VIP protection duties have been recalled to their stations, and any officer defying the order will face disciplinary action.
“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 stated.
According to the police spokesperson, Inspector-General Egbetokun has issued explicit instructions to senior commanders to ensure strict compliance with the withdrawal order.
Hundeyin disclosed that the IGP has deployed tactical teams to strategic locations, including major airports, to apprehend any officer still engaged in VIP protection duties.
“The IGP ordered the AIG SPU [Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Special Protection Unit] to go to the Abuja airport and station his men there and arrest any police officer found escorting VIPs. He gave the same order to the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State to go to the Lagos airport and arrest any police officer escorting VIPs. That’s how seriously we take this,” he said.
The police PRO also clarified that President Bola Tinubu’s directive is absolute and applies universally, regardless of the status or influence of individuals involved.
Hundeyin emphasized that the policy is not subject to negotiation or “the highest bidder,” underscoring the government’s commitment to enforcement.
The withdrawal order is part of a broader strategy by President Tinubu to redeploy police personnel from VIP protection to core policing duties, as Nigeria grapples with rising insecurity across the country.
The move has generated mixed reactions, with some Nigerians applauding the decision as a necessary step toward improving security for ordinary citizens, while others have raised concerns about the safety of high-profile individuals who may genuinely require protection.
Critics, however, have questioned whether the directive will be enforced uniformly, particularly for politically connected individuals and government officials.
The police force has maintained that the policy is meant to address the shortage of officers on the streets and enhance response capabilities to crimes affecting the general population.
As enforcement intensifies, all eyes remain on the Nigeria Police Force to demonstrate its commitment to implementing the directive without favoritism or exceptions.
