In a move that’s sure to spark debate, the Nigeria Police Force has made it clear: not all VIPs will lose their police protection—at least not yet. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the government is pulling officers from private individuals and high-profile figures, certain officials will still enjoy this privilege by law—until President Bola Tinubu says otherwise. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not about favoritism or who pays the most. According to Force Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin, the directive is straightforward and non-negotiable.
During a recent interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Hundeyin shed light on the ongoing reforms. He emphasized that the presidential order to withdraw police officers from VIPs is being enforced without bias. ‘It’s not about the highest bidder or demanding more money,’ he explained. ‘The instruction is clear: withdraw officers from VIP protection, and that’s exactly what we’ve done.’
But here’s the catch: some government officials, like governors and judges, are legally entitled to police protection. Hundeyin was tight-lipped about the full list, leaving it to the public to explore open-source information. ‘I’m just giving you examples,’ he said, keeping the details under wraps.
So, who keeps their protection and who doesn’t? Hundeyin clarified that those statutorily entitled will retain their security detail until further notice from the Presidency. Everyone else? Their officers have likely been reassigned. This raises a thought-provoking question: Is this a fair system, or does it perpetuate inequality in security access?
Addressing another hot-button issue, Hundeyin noted that the Inspector General of Police had already taken steps to end the practice of officers performing menial tasks in private homes—even before the presidential directive. Over 11,000 officers previously assigned to VIPs have been recalled for retraining. These personnel will now bolster police divisions, join the newly formed Special School Protection Squad, and support counterterrorism efforts in military operations.
When asked about the European Union’s claim that 100,000 officers were deployed to protect politicians and influential individuals, Hundeyin disputed the figure. ‘Their scope is different from ours,’ he explained, standing firm on the 11,000 officers already withdrawn.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the reforms are reshaping Nigeria’s security landscape. But the question remains: Are these changes enough, or do we need a more radical overhaul of how protection is allocated? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep the conversation going.
