- Police disown viral memo on withdrawal of officers
There is an upswing demand for the services of private security firms and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the wake of this week’s presidential order for the withdrawal of police escorts attached to very important personalities.
President Bola Tinubu issued the order on Sunday as part of the broader effort to boost police presence in communities where security is currently deemed inadequate.
Police Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun said on Thursday that 11,566 such police escorts have already been recalled.
Investigation by our correspondents across the country shows that the affected VIPs are now turning to private security firms and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for their personal protection and that of their families.
The NSCDC, which is currently about 60,000 strong has as its basic responsibilities protection of lives, safeguarding critical national assets and infrastructure, prevention of crimes, and supporting civil authorities in times of emergency.
At the national headquarters of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Abuja yesterday, The Nation gathered that telephone calls and other forms of discreet inquiries were being made to officers in the senior cadre by anxious VIPs requiring fresh or additional armed NSCDC personnel to serve as their escorts.
“As we speak today, they have started making moves to request for NSCDC personnel but we lack the manpower to serve these elites. Our last recruitment was 5,000 and the one we are about to do now is 10,000, but note that the less than 100, 000 that we have are spread all over the country because of challenges around mining activities, pipeline safety and so on.
“And for special duties like the 2025 Abuja Independence Day celebration, about 4,500 were deployed while events like the 2025 Anambra governorship election alone require 10, 000 personnel,” an NSCDC source stated.
A source in the organistion said yesterday in Enugu that applications for the services of their personnel have been on a massive rise in the last few days.
States and communities have also been taking actions of their own to complement initiatives of the federal government.
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa yesterday gave the nod for the recruitment of 500 personnel by the State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps.
This comes on the heels of Wednesday’s meeting of Southern governors in Iperu-Remo,Ogun State where they insisted that state police is non-negotiable if Nigeria desires to effectively tackle banditry.
On the same day, President Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency and threw his weight behind the establishment of state police.
NSCDC to work out modalities – Minister
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said in Abuja on Thursday that following the order to the para-military institutions under the ministry to enhance security situations in Nigeria, the ministry would do its outmost best.
Tunji-Ojo, who toured the upgrade of the training facilities of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abuja Command at Wuse, and the Federal Fire Service Headquarters for Abuja Command, said President Tinubu directives would be carried out to the letter.
The Minister said the para-military under the Ministry have the capability and capacity to enhance the security situation in the country.
On the directives of the President on withdrawal of policemen from VIPs in the country, sources at the headquarters of the NSCDC said the agency was awaiting further instructions from higher authorities.
A source who preferred not to be named said the NSCDC has the capability and capacity to provide the needed support, especially at this period, but pointed out that the details have to be worked out.
Spokesman for NSCDC in Nasarawa State, Mr Jerry Victor confirmed to The Nation the command’s receipt of many applications for security personnel since the President’s directive.
“The command is flooded with applications from VIPs requesting that our personnel be posted to them, some to their houses. Every day, we get calls and applications for our services,” he said.
A source in a private security organisation in the state said: “Yes, there is a high demand for our services.”
But the source said the company does not currently have enough personnel to meet demand.
Police escorts have been withdrawn from former and serving lawmakers in Nasarawa State.
The only politician of note who still has police escorts in the state is APC governorship aspirant Mohammed Adamu, and that is because of his status as a retired Inspector General of Police.
A former federal lawmaker in the state said he has not left his Abuja residence since the withdrawal of his police escort and won’t do so until he secures a private security arrangement.
The politician who does not want his name in print said:”It’s not possible for me to go out like that.
“I can’t even try it. I have cancelled all meetings and political engagements until my alternative security arrangement is concluded.
“I have applied to the Nasarawa State Command of the NSCDC and a private security outfit in Lafia to give me some security men to guard my house in Lafia.
“It’s not easy for someone like me to go out without security cover, but I think the President’s directive is understood in view of the general security situation across the country. It’s in the interest of the whole country, so I wholeheartedly welcome it.”
Findings across Enugu on Friday showed that many of those affected by the withdrawal have quickly resorted to hiring armed operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as well as officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service to fill the gap left by the police.
A senior political aide who requested anonymity told our reporter that the sudden withdrawal had left many VIPs exposed.
“Most of my principals no longer move with police escorts. They are now relying on Civil Defence and even Correctional Service operatives. These agencies allow their armed personnel to be hired legitimately, so that’s what many are using now,” he said.
Ndume backs Tinubu’s order on VIP police withdrawal, seeks extension to National Assembly
Former leader of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume (APC – Borno South), has thrown his weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive ordering the withdrawal of police officers from Very Important Persons (VIPs), insisting that the measure must be extended to members of the National Assembly.
Ndume, speaking on ‘Politics Today’ on Channels Television on Thursday evening, said the number of police personnel currently deployed to the National Assembly was excessive and unjustifiable at a time the country is battling heightened insecurity.
He described as “insulting” the growing trend of VIPs securing law enforcement officers not just for themselves, but for their spouses and children.
“I thought today I would not see so many police in the National Assembly, but there are still crowded police in the National Assembly,” he lamented.
“Some of our colleagues, some ministers have police attached to their wives. What is their business with that? They have police attached to their children.”
The senator recalled cases where children of prominent individuals move around Abuja in convoys, while ordinary Nigerians lack protection from violent crimes.
Ndume narrated how he once visited the residence of a junior colleague and met more than 10 police officers assigned to him, pointing out that the situation had become so alarming that some lawmakers move with security arrangements resembling presidential convoys.
The lawmaker argued that if security in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was strengthened, VIPs—including President Tinubu—would not require heavy convoys.
“Secure Abuja, and the President can even drive out himself,” he said.
“When you secure personalities and neglect common people, the result is insecurity. In other countries, citizens move freely at night because their cities are secure.”
When reminded that the withdrawal directive could apply to him as well, Ndume stated that he only maintains one police orderly, having declined an earlier offer of three officers.
“One of the top security agencies felt my life was at risk and attached three policemen to me, but I refused. I insisted on having only an orderly,” he said, noting that his preference was based more on accountability than protection.
Presidential order: Our elites deserve no pity” – Ex-DMI Officer
Nigerian elites whose prolonged indifference, inadequate concern and unjustified benefits from security votes may have facilitated Nigeria’s current security situation do not deserve to be pitied in an effective implementation of President Tinubu’s order for the withdrawal of police officers, a former military officer who served in the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI), Captain Umar Babangida Aliyu (rtd), said.
Speaking with The Nation, Aliyu, who now works as a security consultant and business risk expert said that while the President’s decision has several complex implications for VIPs, even as it serves to refocus police attention, a rigorous implementation of the order without any room for shortcuts or illegal police duties will help Nigeria move forward towards tackling insecurity with more seriousness.
Captain U. B, Aliyu (rtd), a member of the 40th Nigerian Army Regular Course which has produced service chiefs and a National Security Adviser, emphasised that Nigeria’s VIPs do not deserve to be pitied over the withdrawal of their police escorts.
Said Aliyu: “Honestly, I really don’t sympathise with them. The politicians and other are victims of their own folly; they are all well-travelled, some with residential property and citizenship abroad, and they know what obtains in other countries in terms of private and societal security wise but come back home and do nothing whatsoever to replicate the good things they see and partake of abroad.
“Let them enjoy the new status quo. Hopefully, it will reset their priority as to security and insecurity here in Nigeria. It is not as if the Police were on top of their game when they were at it anyway. Even with police protection, we have seen VIPs attacked.”
The Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun told reporters in Abuja yesterday that the recall of police officers from VIP duties was neither punitive nor political but aimed at refocusing police efforts and resources on critical areas such as intelligence-led operations and rapid response capacities in rural and urban areas, worried elites.
Police disown memo on ‘withdrawal of officers’ from Atiku, Wike
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), responding yesterday to a report that they had withdrawn officers attached to some high-profile individuals, said no such decision was taken.
The report had claimed that a Mobile Force, 50 Squadron in Kubwa, Abuja, issued urgent instructions for personnel assigned to VIPs , including former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); former first lady Aisha Buhari; Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN); and Ogiame Atuwatse III, Olu of Warri, to return to base by Thursday, November 27.
The report quoted a memo, allegedly signed by CSP Suleiman Abdullahi, administrative officer of 50PMF Kubwa, as saying that officers attached to 20 VIPs should return to base and that attendance would be taken from the nominal roll.
In addition, it claimed that officers attached to VIPs across SPU Base 16 in Lagos were also expected back by the close of business on November 24 and attend a lecture parade the following day.
