Military, Police Enforce Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts, Arrest Officers on Illegal Duty
Nigeria’s security agencies have intensified enforcement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive banning police officers from providing personal security for Very Important Persons (VIPs), with reports confirming that some officers found on escort duty have been arrested for violating the order.
The directive, issued in late November 2025, requires that all police personnel previously attached to VIPs be withdrawn from escort duties and redeployed to core policing functions, including community patrols, crime prevention, and public safety operations.
Under the new rules, any individual requiring personal protection must now obtain security personnel through authorised agencies such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) or state security services.
The Tinubu administration described the measure as part of broader security reforms aimed at strengthening frontline policing, particularly in areas suffering from rising incidents of kidnapping, banditry, and violent crime.
By redirecting officers to their primary duties, the presidency said it hopes to improve national security and ensure that police resources are focused on public protection rather than serving private interests.
Enforcement of the order has been rigorous. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, instructed all senior commanders to ensure that officers found escorting VIPs without proper authorisation are treated as engaged in illegal duty and are subject to arrest and disciplinary action.
Several reports indicate that officers on illegal escort assignments have already been apprehended and returned to police stations pending internal review.
Special enforcement teams have been deployed nationwide to monitor compliance with the directive.
Police spokespersons stated that while most officers have complied, arrests serve as a deterrent to ensure full adherence to the policy. Officers are being reminded that providing unauthorised VIP security is a breach of regulations and will not be tolerated.
The policy has received mixed reactions from the public. Advocates argue that reducing VIP escorts — previously extended to wealthy individuals and politicians — will free thousands of officers to focus on crime prevention in under-policed communities.
Critics, however, caution that some government officials and high-risk individuals still require protective details, and they have called for clarity on eligibility for statutory protection under the new rules.
As the enforcement continues, the presidency and police leadership have sent a firm message: police officers must comply with the directive or face consequences, including arrest and disciplinary action.
The move marks a significant step in the Tinubu administration’s efforts to professionalise policing, curb misuse of police resources, and address Nigeria’s escalating security challenges.
