Police to Arrest Officers Escorting VIPs, Warns Force PRO
The Nigeria Police Force has announced strict enforcement of its directive withdrawing officers from escorting Very Important Persons (VIPs), insisting that any officer found violating the order will be arrested.
Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, made this known on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He stated that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has already recalled all personnel previously assigned to VIP protection duties.
Hundeyin emphasized that the directive is not symbolic but fully operational.
“The enforcement is on. The IGP gave the directive that any police officer found escorting VIPs be arrested because he is on illegal duty. Every one of them has been recalled,” he said.
To ensure compliance, the IGP has reportedly ordered the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) to deploy officers to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to arrest any police personnel still engaging in VIP escort duties.
A similar directive has also been handed down to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and other state commands.
The move is part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening internal security, improving police presence in communities, and reducing the misuse of police officers as personal security aides.
The directive represents one of the most forceful measures yet taken by the Egbetokun-led police leadership to curb unauthorized deployment of police officers for private protection.
