VIPs Still Enjoy Police Protection Despite Presidential Ban

By JOSHUA DADA, EMMANUEL MGBEAHURIKE, Richard Ndoma, Felix Igbekoyi, Adebayo Waheed, Nnamdi Mbawike, ABU NMODU, ATTAH ANTHONY, NONYE EKWENUGO and AZA MSUE

The presidential directive withdrawing police personnel attached to unauthorised very important personalities (VIPs) is being met with mixed compliance across states, as investigations by LEADERSHIP Sunday revealed that many politicians, businessmen and other prominent individuals still travel with police escorts despite the order.

The directive was issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 23 November 2025 at a high-level security meeting in Abuja.

He said that police officers assigned to guard Very Important Persons across Nigeria should be redeployed to routine community policing duties.

The president also said that VIPs requiring security escorts must request armed personnel from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The order, backed by operational orders from the Nigeria Police Force, requires the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to unauthorised VIPs and mandates the arrest of officers found providing illegal escort services.

To ensure compliance, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) directed the airport security commanders in Abuja and Lagos to arrest any police officer observed escorting unauthorised VIPs.

The Force Headquarters also issued wireless operational signals warning commanders that supervisors who failed to enforce the directive would face disciplinary action. Monitoring of compliance has been assigned to the Compol X-Squad and the IGP Monitoring Unit.

However, checks by LEADERSHIP Sunday across several states showed that although the directive is being implemented in principle, enforcement remains uneven, with security concerns and selective exemptions cited as reasons for the continued use of police escorts.

In Osun State, where political tension has escalated ahead of the August 15 governorship election, the directive has not been fully enforced. Several VIPs, particularly political figures, were still seen travelling with police officers and other security operatives.

A retired police officer and security expert, Nureni Olapade, attributed the situation to the prevailing security challenges in the state.

No fewer than 15 people have been killed in election-related violence ahead of the governorship poll, while several political figures have reportedly raised concerns about threats to their lives.

Similarly, in Imo State, the Police Command said it had complied with the IGP’s directive by withdrawing police orderlies attached to individuals not entitled to statutory protection.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Henry Okoye, said, “We have withdrawn over 60% of orderlies assigned to politicians, businessmen and traditional rulers who don’t qualify. Only the governor, deputy governor, speaker, chief justice, and first-class traditional rulers facing security threats retain statutory protection.”

Despite the assurance, many traditional rulers and VIPs in Owerri were still seen moving with police escorts, and residents attributed the situation to the state’s security challenges.

Although the directive has created anxiety among many VIPs in Delta State, investigations have shown that police escorts still accompany prominent individuals, albeit discreetly.

Some officers reportedly wear mufti while travelling in the same vehicle as VIPs or follow in separate vehicles. Others allegedly disguise themselves as drivers or wear NSCDC and vigilante uniforms to avoid attracting attention at security checkpoints.

In Abia State, police authorities insisted that the directive had been implemented immediately, although checks showed that some VIPs still retained police personnel.

The Enugu State Police Command also maintained that the directive remained in force across the state. However, investigations revealed that many political office-holders and other influential people still travel with police escorts.

A security expert, Mr Ndukuba Elias, said the continued use of escorts was linked to fears of kidnapping beyond Enugu State.

He said, “Although Enugu is one of the safest states in the country, the elected officials are still afraid that if they travel to neighbouring states, they may be kidnapped by hoodlums.”

He added that while the number of officers assigned to VIPs should be reduced, the police should recruit more personnel to improve public security.

In Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Niger states, investigations also showed partial compliance, with many politicians, commissioners, lawmakers, contractors and other prominent individuals still travelling with reduced numbers of police escorts, most of whom operate in plain clothes.

A senior police officer in Akwa Ibom, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told LEADERSHIP Sunday, “Some policemen are still being released to guard politicians, but they are doing so discreetly, dressed in mufti.

“Sometimes, we are hired to provide security cover for big men in their compounds or on trips when we are not on official duty.”

However, in Taraba State, the Police Command insisted that the withdrawal directive remains in force.

The command’s spokesperson, ASP Victor Mshelizah, said the policy affects politicians, traditional rulers and other individuals who previously enjoyed police escort services, except those specifically exempted due to the nature of their official responsibilities.

According to him, judicial officers, occupants of key strategic offices, and other persons approved by the Inspector-General of Police remain exempt, while those seeking additional protection should approach the NSCDC.

In Kaduna State, residents said they had not noticed any significant reduction in the number of police escorts accompanying politicians and senior government officials.

One resident, Ibrahim Adamu, said that prominent figures still travel with armed police escorts at official functions, while another resident, Grace John, noted that although the policy was commendable, its implementation had not been evident.

The Kaduna State Police Command did not respond to enquiries about the level of compliance before the report was filed.

In Benue State, police escorts were also seen accompanying some politicians, businessmen and government officials, particularly those visiting volatile areas.

Responding, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, said temporary security personnel could be assigned to individuals visiting insecure areas.

“I don’t know anything about VIP escorts, but my response is that, in some areas of the state that people have said are volatile, we temporarily attach security to them when they request it to visit those areas. When such people return from their trips to those areas, security personnel are withdrawn immediately,” he said.

A senior government official, speaking anonymously, argued that the NSCDC lacked the manpower to replace the police in providing security for all VIPs.

“Some VIPs are accustomed to police escort. Secondly, NSCDC officials are few in number, and only a few carry guns and arms. Look at the security situation across the country,” the official said.

When asked about the overall level of compliance nationwide, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, declined to comment.