Despite Tinubu’s Ban, VIPs Still Move With Police Escorts Across Nigeria

Despite Tinubu’s Ban, VIPs Still Move With Police Escorts Across Nigeria

VIPs Still Enjoy Police Escorts Despite Tinubu’s Ban as States Report Uneven Compliance

Nigeria’s police VIP escort ban faces uneven compliance as politicians, businessmen and other prominent individuals reportedly continue to receive police protection in several states.

Nigeria’s presidential directive withdrawing police personnel from unauthorised Very Important Persons (VIPs) is facing uneven implementation across several states, with politicians, businessmen, traditional rulers and other influential individuals still reportedly travelling with police escorts.

The directive, announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at a high-level security meeting in Abuja on November 23, 2025, was intended to free police personnel assigned to VIP protection and redeploy them to community policing and other frontline security duties.

However, investigations by LEADERSHIP Sunday indicate that months after the directive was issued, compliance remains inconsistent in different parts of the country.

While some state police commands say they have withdrawn officers attached to people who are not legally entitled to police protection, residents and other sources report that prominent individuals continue to move around with armed police personnel in several states.

Why Tinubu Ordered the Withdrawal of Police Escorts

President Tinubu’s directive was aimed at addressing concerns over the large number of police officers deployed to protect private individuals and influential personalities while communities across Nigeria continue to face security challenges.

Under the directive, police officers attached to unauthorised VIPs are expected to return to regular policing duties, including crime prevention, community policing and protection of the wider public.

The president also directed that VIPs who require armed security should seek protection from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) rather than relying on police personnel.

The policy reflects a broader effort to ensure that Nigeria’s limited police manpower is concentrated on protecting the general population.

Operational orders subsequently issued by the Nigeria Police Force reportedly directed commanders to withdraw officers assigned to individuals who do not qualify for statutory police protection.

The directive also warned police officers against providing unauthorised escort services.

Police Officers Face Sanctions for Illegal VIP Escort

The Nigeria Police Force reportedly strengthened enforcement by directing airport security commanders in Abuja and Lagos to arrest police officers found escorting unauthorised VIPs.

The Force Headquarters also issued operational signals to police formations, warning supervisors that failure to enforce the directive could attract disciplinary action.

Monitoring of compliance was assigned to the Compol X-Squad and the IGP Monitoring Unit.

Despite these measures, reports from different states suggest that implementation on the ground has not been uniform.

Security concerns, political tensions and fears of kidnapping have emerged as some of the reasons why police protection continues to be provided to certain individuals.

Osun: Political Tension Complicates Enforcement

In Osun State, the withdrawal of police escorts has reportedly faced difficulties amid heightened political tension ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Several political figures have reportedly continued to travel with police officers and other security personnel despite the presidential directive.

A retired police officer and security expert, Nureni Olapade, attributed the situation partly to the prevailing security environment.

The state has recorded election-related violence, with reports indicating that at least 15 people have been killed in incidents linked to the political contest.

With some political actors reportedly expressing concerns over threats to their lives, security officials face the difficult task of balancing the withdrawal of unauthorised escorts with the need to protect individuals facing credible threats.

Imo Police Say More Than 60% of Unauthorised Orderlies Were Withdrawn

In Imo State, police authorities said they had substantially implemented the directive.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, said more than 60 per cent of police orderlies attached to politicians, businessmen and traditional rulers who were not entitled to statutory protection had been withdrawn.

According to him, statutory protection remains available to certain public officials and individuals who qualify under existing arrangements.

Those identified as retaining protection include the governor, deputy governor, speaker, chief justice and certain first-class traditional rulers facing security threats.

However, observations in parts of Owerri suggested that some traditional rulers and prominent individuals were still travelling with police escorts.

Residents linked the continued presence of security personnel to the state’s wider security situation.

Delta: Police Escorts Reportedly Operating Discreetly

In Delta State, the directive has reportedly created concern among VIPs who previously depended heavily on police escorts.

Investigations reportedly found that police officers continue to accompany some influential individuals, although the practice has become less visible.

Some officers are allegedly travelling in plain clothes, while others reportedly follow VIPs in separate vehicles.

There were also claims that some security personnel disguise their identity by working as drivers or using other uniforms to avoid attracting attention at checkpoints.

Such practices, if confirmed, would undermine the objective of the presidential directive, which is to return police personnel to broader public security duties.

Abia and Enugu Report Compliance, But Questions Remain

Police authorities in Abia State reportedly maintained that the directive was implemented immediately.

However, checks also suggested that some VIPs continued to have police personnel around them.

The Enugu State Police Command similarly maintained that the directive remained in force.

Nevertheless, reports indicated that some political office-holders and influential individuals were still travelling with police escorts.

Security expert Ndukuba Elias attributed part of the situation to fears among elected officials travelling outside Enugu.

He argued that although Enugu has comparatively favourable security conditions, officials may fear kidnapping when travelling into neighbouring states.

According to him, reducing the number of police officers assigned to VIPs should be accompanied by increased police recruitment to strengthen public security.

Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Niger See Partial Compliance

Reports from Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Niger states also indicate partial compliance.

Politicians, commissioners, lawmakers, contractors and other prominent individuals were reportedly still seen travelling with police escorts, although the number of officers assigned to them appeared to have been reduced in some cases.

Many of the officers allegedly operate in plain clothes.

A senior police officer in Akwa Ibom, who spoke anonymously, claimed that some policemen continued to provide security for politicians discreetly.

The officer also alleged that police personnel sometimes provide private security services to wealthy individuals outside their official duties.

The claims could not independently establish the extent of such practices, but they highlight the difficulty of enforcing a nationwide withdrawal policy where private demand for security remains high.

Taraba Police Insist VIP Escort Ban Remains in Force

In Taraba State, police authorities said the directive remains operational.

Police spokesperson ASP Victor Mshelizah said politicians, traditional rulers and other individuals who previously enjoyed police escort services had been affected by the withdrawal policy.

However, certain categories of people remain exempt because of their official responsibilities or security circumstances.

According to the command, judicial officers, occupants of strategic offices and other individuals specifically approved by the Inspector-General of Police may continue to receive protection.

Those who require additional security are expected to approach the NSCDC.

Kaduna Residents Say VIP Police Escorts Remain Visible

In Kaduna State, residents reported that they had not observed a significant reduction in the number of police escorts accompanying politicians and senior government officials.

Resident Ibrahim Adamu said prominent figures were still seen with armed police escorts at official events.

Another resident, Grace John, described the presidential policy as commendable but said its implementation had not been obvious.

The Kaduna State Police Command reportedly did not respond to enquiries regarding the level of compliance before the report was published.

Benue Allows Temporary Security in Volatile Areas

In Benue State, police officers were reportedly still seen accompanying some politicians, businessmen and government officials, particularly when travelling to areas considered volatile.

However, the police command explained that such deployments may be temporary and linked to specific security threats.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, said security personnel could be temporarily attached to people visiting dangerous areas when requested.

He explained that such personnel would be withdrawn once the individuals returned from the affected locations.

The distinction between permanent VIP escort and temporary security deployment is important because the presidential directive is primarily aimed at unauthorised and routine private protection rather than preventing police from responding to genuine security threats.

Security Experts Question NSCDC Capacity

One of the biggest challenges facing the policy is whether the NSCDC has sufficient manpower and firearms to meet the security needs previously handled by police officers.

A senior government official, who spoke anonymously, argued that many VIPs have become accustomed to police protection and that the NSCDC may not currently have enough personnel to replace all withdrawn police officers.

The official also pointed to the wider security challenges facing Nigeria.

The argument raises a fundamental question: Can Nigeria simultaneously reduce private police protection and guarantee adequate security for public officials and other individuals facing credible threats?

Security experts have repeatedly stressed the importance of strengthening the country's overall security architecture rather than simply transferring responsibility from one agency to another.

Why the Police Escort Policy Matters

The controversy over VIP police escorts goes beyond the protection of politicians and wealthy Nigerians.

Nigeria has long faced concerns over police manpower, with officers often required to perform multiple duties ranging from crime prevention and investigations to guarding public facilities and private individuals.

When officers are assigned to private protection, fewer personnel may be available for patrols, emergency response and community policing.

The presidential directive therefore seeks to redirect police resources towards the wider population.

At the same time, security threats such as kidnapping, armed attacks and political violence mean that some individuals may face legitimate risks.

This creates a delicate balance for security authorities.

A blanket withdrawal without an alternative security arrangement could expose genuinely threatened individuals to danger. Conversely, allowing unauthorised VIP escorts to continue indefinitely could undermine the purpose of the reform.

Enforcement Remains the Biggest Test

The reports from different states reveal a clear gap between policy and implementation.

Some police commands say they have withdrawn officers from unauthorised VIPs, while observations in other locations suggest that police escorts remain common.

In some cases, security personnel reportedly operate discreetly or are deployed temporarily because of specific threats.

The challenge for the Nigeria Police Force will therefore be ensuring that exemptions are based on clear security criteria rather than political influence, wealth or personal connections.

The effectiveness of the policy will ultimately depend on consistent enforcement, transparent exemptions and adequate alternative security arrangements.

What Happens Next?

The Nigeria Police Force is expected to continue monitoring compliance through its designated units and state commands.

The central question is whether the authorities can sustain the withdrawal of unauthorised police escorts while ensuring that legitimate security threats are properly addressed.

For ordinary Nigerians, the success of the policy could mean more police officers available for patrols, emergency response and community policing.

For VIPs, the directive represents a significant change from the longstanding practice of having police officers routinely accompany them.

As implementation continues, public attention will likely remain focused on whether the policy is enforced equally across political, business and social circles.

President Bola Tinubu’s decision to withdraw police officers from unauthorised VIP protection was designed to redirect scarce police manpower towards protecting the wider Nigerian public.

However, reports from several states suggest that implementation remains uneven.

While some police commands have reported substantial compliance, prominent individuals are still reportedly seen with police escorts in parts of the country.

Security threats, political tensions and concerns about alternative protection arrangements have complicated enforcement.

The long-term success of the policy will depend not only on withdrawing officers but also on strengthening community policing, increasing police manpower, establishing clear security exemptions and ensuring that no individual receives preferential protection simply because of political influence or wealth.

For Nigerians watching the reform closely, the key question is no longer whether the presidential directive exists, but whether it will be enforced consistently across the country.

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