Police Demotes Officer for Illegal VIP Escort in Defiance of IGP, Presidential Directives

The Nigeria Police Force has taken disciplinary action against one of its personnel, CPL Suleiman Musa, who was demoted to the rank of Constable after he was found escorting a VIP without proper authorisation.

The officer, identified by Force Number 517077 and attached to the 45 Police Mobile Force (PMF), reportedly undertook the unauthorised assignment last week in violation of strict operational directives currently in force According to internal police findings, Musa disregarded the clear instructions of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the presidential order banning police officers from engaging in private or unofficial VIP escort duties. The enforcement of this directive has intensified in recent months as part of a nationwide effort to curb the misuse of police personnel and restore professionalism within the Force Sources familiar with the disciplinary process disclosed that Musa’s conduct was flagged during routine compliance monitoring. Upon investigation, it was established that he neither sought nor obtained official approval before embarking on the assignment. The infraction was classified as a serious breach of discipline, prompting the immediate commencement of internal disciplinary procedures Following the review, the officer was demoted from Corporal to Constable—a punishment police authorities described as necessary to reinforce the message that all directives, particularly those issued from the highest levels of government, must be strictly obeyed. The Force further emphasised that the disciplinary action reflects its zero-tolerance stance toward unauthorised deployment of officers for private security purposes Senior police officials noted that the presidential directive on VIP escorts was introduced to address the chronic shortage of officers available for public safety operations. By withdrawing police personnel from unofficial VIP protection duties, the Federal Government aims to redeploy more officers to critical areas such as patrols, investigations, and community policing The IGP has repeatedly warned that any officer found undermining the reform policy would face consequences, including demotion, suspension, or dismissal. The latest action against Musa is expected to serve as a strong warning to others who may be tempted to ignore the directive Public reaction to the development has been mixed, with some Nigerians commending the disciplinary action as a step toward accountability, while others called for wider scrutiny into how VIPs continue to gain access to unauthorised escorts. Civil society groups have also urged the Police Force to investigate whether influential individuals are inducing officers into violating the escort ban The Nigeria Police Force has appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and report any officer seen providing unofficial escort services to private individuals. Authorities say full compliance with the current directive is essential to strengthening the integrity, efficiency, and public trust in the policing system With Musa’s demotion now final, police leadership has reiterated that it will not hesitate to impose similar or more severe sanctions on any officer who disregards operational orders or compromises the ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the Force.