Stephanie Shaakaa Urges End to VIP Monopoly of Police Personnel

Prominent Nigerian social commentator Stephanie Shaakaa has called for an end to the widespread misuse of police officers by influential individuals, warning that the practice is compromising national security and undermining the primary function of the Nigeria Police Force. In a strongly worded statement, Shaakaa condemned the growing trend where VIPs, including wealthy businesspeople, celebrities, and former political officeholders, use public security personnel for private convenience, often without any legal entitlement. Shaakaa noted that while only constitutionally recognized public officeholders such as the President, Vice President, governors, deputy governors, top judicial officials, and legislative leaders are entitled to police protection, a significant portion of police manpower is currently diverted to serve individuals outside this category. She cited reports showing that over 150,000 officers—approximately 40% of the entire police workforce—are assigned to private individuals, leaving ordinary citizens without adequate security. According to her, this trend not only drains police resources but also subjects officers to demeaning roles, including carrying handbags, opening car doors, and performing errands unrelated to law enforcement. She described this misuse as a violation of public trust and a degradation of professional standards within the police force. Shaakaa warned that the consequence of this widespread abuse is a deepening of the security crisis across Nigeria, where many communities remain under-policed and vulnerable to criminal attacks. She stressed that the country cannot afford to continue allocating its security personnel based on status or financial power while millions remain unprotected. Despite repeated directives from the federal government and police leadership to withdraw officers from unauthorized VIPs, enforcement has remained largely ineffective due to political interference and lack of institutional accountability. Shaakaa urged the government to publish a transparent list of those legally entitled to police escorts and to redeploy withdrawn officers to community policing in crime-prone areas. She further advised that individuals who require personal security beyond what is legally permitted should seek private arrangements rather than rely on publicly funded law enforcement. She emphasized the need to restore dignity to the police profession by ending practices that turn trained officers into domestic aides. Shaakaa’s comments reflect growing public frustration with a system that prioritizes the security of the elite over the safety of the general population. She concluded by calling on the government to demonstrate political will and implement lasting reforms that will reposition the police as a service for all Nigerians, not just the privileged few.