Tinubu orders large-scale withdrawal of VIP police escorts
11,000 Police Escorts Pulled From VIPs Nationwide
President Bola Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of roughly 11,000 police officers from Very Important Persons (VIPs) across Nigeria.
Sources in the presidency and the police confirmed that the order targets officers working as escorts and orderlies to politicians, business executives, religious figures, and other influential individuals.
The federal government issued the directive as part of fresh strategies to combat escalating insecurity, boost community policing, and ease manpower shortages in conventional police duties.
Implementation has commenced in stages, with state commands instructed to list and redeploy the affected officers.
Reasons Behind Tinubu’s Order On VIP Police Protection
The presidency confirmed that the move is intended to redeploy thousands of officers to frontline policing.
Figures compiled by security experts indicate that Nigeria has one of the weakest police-to-citizen ratios on the continent.
The United Nations advises one police officer for every 450 citizens.
Nigeria, however, operates with an estimated ratio closer to one officer for every 650 to 800 citizens, based on multiple policy papers and expert assessments.
Security personnel in Abuja noted that the heavy allocation of escorts to VIP protection has undermined community policing.
They explained that many officers spend most of their careers safeguarding individuals rather than securing neighbourhoods and marketplaces.
The latest directive aims to reverse that trend and expand police visibility on streets, highways, and in rural areas.
Senior officers stated that the Nigeria Police Force will now channel more attention to crime prevention, patrols, and intelligence-driven operations.
Effect On Insecurity And Everyday Nigerians
Security analysts said withdrawing police escorts from VIPs could enhance response times to robberies, kidnappings, and communal conflicts.
They observed that many Divisional Police Headquarters operate with insufficient personnel to adequately cover wide jurisdictions.
Residents in high-risk locations frequently complain of slow or non-existent responses to emergency calls.
Experts contend that redeploying 11,000 officers to core policing responsibilities could alter this pattern.
For the average Nigerian, the policy may translate into more noticeable patrols on key roads and inner-city routes.
Commercial transporters, market women and men, and commuters have consistently expressed fears about mounting armed robbery and kidnapping.
Community representatives in states like Kaduna, Niger, Imo, and Zamfara have reported repeated assaults on remote settlements.
They maintain that increased security presence will help discourage bandits and armed groups.
Police Manpower Shortage And Community Policing
Nigeria’s chronic police manpower deficit remains a central topic in national security discussions.
Official data indicates that the Nigeria Police Force counts between 370,000 and 400,000 officers for a population exceeding 200 million.
Security think-tanks estimate that a significant fraction of these officers are assigned to VIP security, guard posts, and specialised units.
Consequently, fewer personnel are available for routine patrols, investigations, and community-based policing.
The current order corresponds with long-standing demands for police reform, restructuring, and more efficient deployment of security resources.
Community policing initiatives rolled out under previous governments have struggled due to inadequate staffing and funding.
Police divisions in rural and peri-urban areas often function with fewer than 30 officers per station.
Stakeholders insist that such low staffing levels cannot effectively protect vast local government areas.
Core Security And Manpower Statistics
Existing data and expert projections underscore the magnitude of the problem:
– Nigeria’s police strength: about 370,000–400,000 officers
– Population: over 200 million people
– UN recommended ratio: 1 officer to 450 citizens
– Nigeria’s estimated ratio: between 1:650 and 1:800 citizens
– VIP protection and special duties: tens of thousands of officers deployed
Analysts pointed out that returning 11,000 officers to mainstream policing will not completely bridge the manpower gap.
Nonetheless, they view it as a major step toward bolstering internal security.
They further note that it reflects a movement away from elite-centred security toward citizen-focused policing.
Implementation Of The VIP Escort Withdrawal
Police leadership has started compiling the names of officers attached to VIPs at federal, state, and local government levels.
The directive includes escorts assigned to former public officials, certain serving office holders, and private individuals without a clearly defined security need.
Senior officers disclosed that the police management team will review security risk evaluations before confirming withdrawals in sensitive situations.
They added that some high-risk officials may still retain limited protection, guided by intelligence findings.
Commands have been ordered to deploy withdrawn officers to divisions, area commands, and tactical squads.
The Nigeria Police Force intends to boost staffing in highway patrols, rapid response teams, and anti-kidnapping units.
Police insiders said priority will be given to states with high incidences of banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery.
They further explained that new postings will be based on crime data and detailed threat analyses.
Expected Response From Political And Business Circles
Security observers anticipate pushback from some politicians and business magnates who depend on police escorts for daily movements.
Over time, VIP protection has evolved into a marker of status and influence in Nigeria.
Insiders revealed that certain VIPs are already seeking exemptions from the new policy.
They cautioned that inconsistent enforcement could undermine the effectiveness of the directive.
Civil society groups have called for openness in the enforcement process.
They urged the Inspector General of Police to release transparent criteria for eligibility for state-funded police protection.
Rights advocates argue that public funds should not subsidise private security for the rich.
They emphasise that the primary obligation of the police is to safeguard the populace, not just the powerful.
Wider Consequences For Governance And Security Overhaul
The withdrawal of VIP police escorts raises broader questions about governance and fairness in Nigeria.
Many citizens regard the widespread use of escorts and long convoys as evidence of inequality and misapplication of public resources.
The new approach could restore some public confidence if people begin to see more officers working within their communities.
It may also reinforce other initiatives, including debates on state policing, reviews of police financing, and broader justice sector reforms.
Economic commentators say that better security conditions can stimulate local commerce, farming, and transportation.
Farmers in volatile regions often abandon their fields due to fear of attacks.
Traders face higher transport and insurance expenses when roads remain dangerous.
Improved policing can lower these risks and encourage investment and job growth.
Implications For Day-To-Day Safety
For most Nigerians, the initiative will be assessed based on visible results rather than official statements.
Citizens will watch for fewer robbery cases, reduced abductions, and quicker police reactions.
Parents are demanding safer routes to school, particularly in areas previously hit by student kidnappings.
Transport operators want more secure highways, especially at night and along isolated corridors.
Security specialists urge the public to pay attention to how many officers actually return to patrol and emergency units.
They caution that some withdrawn personnel might end up in offices instead of on the streets.
They also highlight the necessity of improved training, equipment, and welfare for the redeployed officers.
Without these, they warn, the new policy may fail to bring about lasting improvements.
Next Steps: The Future Of Police Reform
The recall of 11,000 VIP police escorts represents a notable development in Nigeria’s prolonged battle with insecurity and limited police capacity.
Previous governments announced similar steps but often backed down under political pressure and failed to institutionalise the changes.
Observers will be monitoring whether this directive is sustained beyond the early rollout period.
They will also assess how it connects with broader security reforms, from community policing to potential constitutional amendments on state policing.
At present, the success of this measure depends on firm enforcement, clear eligibility rules, and tangible gains in public safety.
If the government and police top brass stick to the current course, more officers should be redeployed to streets, markets, highways, and villages.
Should that occur, ordinary Nigerians, not just VIPs, will benefit from state-provided security.
If fully enforced, the directive could become a watershed in how Nigeria allocates its scarce security resources for the collective interest.
