The Nigeria Police Force has initiated a decisive crackdown on its personnel who continue to provide unauthorized security escorts to Very Important Persons (VIPs), directly contravening a presidential order. This move marks the start of a nationwide enforcement drive aimed at reclaiming police resources for core public safety duties.
Lagos Monitoring Exercise Finds Initial Compliance
On December 6, 2025, the police deployed a special monitoring team across strategic locations in Lagos to verify compliance with President Bola Tinubu's directive. The operation, which commenced around 1000 hours, saw officers patrolling key routes including the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge and the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
According to an official statement, the initial phase of monitoring yielded a positive result: no police officer was found assigned to unauthorized VIP protection duties, and consequently, no arrests were made during the Lagos checks. The police published images from the monitoring exercise on their official social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), showcasing their presence at these vital points.
Nationwide Enforcement and Reassignment of Personnel
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, declared that the Lagos operation is merely the beginning. He emphasized that the enforcement effort will be sustained and extended across all states of the federation to prevent any abuse of police resources and ensure uniform adherence to the directive.
A critical aspect of this policy is the reassignment of officers withdrawn from VIP duties. IGP Egbetokun confirmed that these personnel would be deployed to core policing functions, thereby strengthening the Force's capacity to address public safety concerns and combat crime more effectively. The police authorities have reiterated their commitment to restoring discipline within the ranks and ensuring that personnel are deployed strictly for official, state-sanctioned duties.
Public Urged to Report Violations Amid VIP Uncertainty
The presidential directive has reportedly caused significant uncertainty among numerous high-profile individuals who had grown accustomed to the security provided by mobile police escorts. This apprehension was compounded after the Presidency insisted that the order must be respected by all ministries, departments, and agencies without exception.
In a bid to ensure full compliance, the Nigeria Police Force has called on the public to act as watchdogs. Citizens are urged to report any police officer seen escorting unauthorized individuals. The Force has promised that more unscheduled field inspections will be conducted in the coming days to cement the new policy.
This enforcement drive is part of a broader agenda by the Tinubu administration to assert control over security resources. In a related development, President Tinubu recently vowed to end terrorism and banditry in northern Nigeria, stating that no region would be allowed to 'bleed while the federal government watches.' This remark was delivered on his behalf at the 25th anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum in Kaduna on November 22.
