By Emmanuel Kwada
In a significant overhaul of Nigeria’s security apparatus, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of 11,566 police officers from VIP protection duties, redirecting them to critical frontline policing functions across the country.
The move, announced by Inspector General of Police Olukayode Egbetokun, aims to address the acute shortage of manpower in regions plagued by escalating violence and insecurity.
During a high-level meeting with senior police officers in Abuja, Egbetokun revealed that the presidential directive has already been implemented, marking a decisive shift in resource allocation.
“We have withdrawn 11,566 personnel from VIP protection as directed by Mr. President,” Egbetokun stated, emphasizing that the order provides the police force with the authority to act “without interference.”
He dismissed reports claiming 120,000 officers were attached to private individuals as “lies,” clarifying that the actual number was far lower but still substantial.
The decision comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with a security crisis, with armed violence, banditry, and insurgent activities claiming thousands of lives and displacing millions.
President Tinubu’s broader strategy includes a nationwide security emergency declaration, authorizing the recruitment of 20,000 additional police officers and thousands more for the army to bolster national defense capabilities.
Egbetokun highlighted the challenges of previous attempts to withdraw officers from VIP duties, noting that political and social pressures often undermined such efforts. However, he expressed confidence that the presidential backing would ensure compliance this time.
“Now that it is a Presidential Order, there won’t be pressure on the IG,” he said, adding that neither governors nor ministers would dare challenge the directive.
The redeployment is expected to significantly enhance police presence in underserved areas, particularly rural communities where law enforcement is critically understaffed.
Egbetokun assured that the welfare of the redeployed officers would be a priority, acknowledging the sacrifices they would make in transitioning from VIP assignments to more demanding frontline roles.
The development has sparked a broader debate on the role of police in protecting private interests versus public safety. Senator Ali Ndume, a former Chief Whip of the Senate, recently criticized the continued deployment of police escorts to lawmakers, arguing that it undermines national security efforts.
“The situation is not only wasteful but has also deprived communities and security formations of much-needed manpower,” Ndume said.
As Nigeria braces for the festive season, a period traditionally marked by heightened security risks, the effectiveness of this redeployment will be closely watched. Egbetokun’s promise to return officers to “frontline policing functions” is seen as a critical test of the government’s commitment to addressing the issue of insecurity in the country.
