NIGERIA: Police Record ‘High Compliance’ as Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts Takes Effect

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

The Nigeria Police Force says it has achieved a “high and satisfactory level of compliance” with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive ordering the withdrawal of police officers from VIP escort and guard duties.

According to the force in a statemen issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police shared on Saturday, a special enforcement team, set up by the Force Headquarters, conducted a monitoring operation on Friday across major locations in Lagos, including the Lekki–Ikoyi Link Bridge and the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The police said the team found no case of officers being deployed for unauthorised VIP protection, a development the Force described as “commendable” and indicative of increasing adherence to the presidential order.

The statement said: “No case of unauthorised deployment of police personnel for VIP escort duties was recorded during the monitoring.”

The operation, which began around 10:00 a.m., also covered several other “strategic points” within the state, with the enforcement team reporting zero arrests due to full compliance.

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, reaffirmed the commitment of the Police to the total implementation of the directive, stressing that officers withdrawn from VIP duties will be redeployed to core policing responsibilities.

He said: “The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in redeploying its personnel to core policing duties aimed at enhancing general security, crime prevention, and protection of lives and property.”

The police assured Nigerians that the enforcement would be sustained nationwide “without fear or favour,” urging citizens to support efforts to strengthen professionalism and efficiency within the Force.

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