Story by Iyiola Ayomide
Abuja / Lagos — December 2–3, 2025
The Nigeria Police Force has declared that any police officer found accompanying or escorting VIPs, celebrities, elites, or private individuals — outside the force’s statutory duty assignments — will be arrested. The directive comes from IGP Kayode Egbetokun, and is being enforced strictly nationwide.
According to the Force’s Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, all officers previously attached to VIP protection duties have been recalled. On Tuesday during a live interview on a television programme, he emphasised: “The enforcement is on. The IGP gave the directive that any police officer found escorting VIPs be arrested because, definitely, he is on illegal duty.”
Why the Crackdown?
The directive follows a November 23, 2025 order by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, directing the withdrawal of police escorts from VIPs in order to redeploy officers toward core policing — especially in light of rising insecurity, kidnappings, and terrorist threats nationwide.
In implementation, 11,566 officers previously attached to VIP security details have already been withdrawn, confirmed IGP Egbetokun during a meeting with senior police officials.
Under the new arrangement, VIPs requiring security are encouraged to seek personnel from other security agencies, such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), rather than the police.
Enforcement: No Exceptions (with Few Statutory Cases)
The NPF clarified that while the ban is comprehensive, certain categories of public officials — such as governors and judges — who are statutorily entitled to police protection may continue to get security details.
Still, for ordinary VIPs, entertainers, business elites, or private individuals, the policy is absolute: any police officer found providing escort services will be treated as working an “illegal duty” and face immediate arrest.
In some states enforcement has already begun at local level. For example, in Akwa Ibom State, the state Commissioner of Police ordered that any officer found escorting unauthorised VIPs be disarmed, arrested and subjected to orderly-room trial.
What This Means for VIPs, Celebrities & Private Individuals
- Police protection by the national police force for private individuals, celebrities, or elites is now illegal and no longer available.
- Anyone — celebrity, businessperson or private citizen — wanting security must now rely on alternative agencies (like NSCDC) or private security — but not police.
- Police manpower is being redirected to frontline security duties: public safety, crime prevention, community policing, and responding to increasing insecurity across the country.
- Citizens are being urged to hold VIPs and public personalities accountable: the presidency has asked Nigerians to report any violation (e.g. if a celebrity is seen with police escorts) by submitting photographic or video evidence.
Reaction & Implications
The sweeping directive marks a significant shift in how security resources are deployed in Nigeria. By stripping VIPs and elites of automatic police escorts, the authorities aim to tackle misuse of police manpower and refocus on broader public safety and national security challenges.
However, it also raises questions about the security arrangements available to high-profile Nigerians — especially in a climate of rising insecurity, kidnapping and violent crime. Some may argue that the decision exposes such persons to greater risk. But from the government’s view, the move reflects a rebalancing of priorities: fewer police for guards, more for general security of the populace.