From Privilege To Panic: VIPs React To Tinubu’s Escort Withdrawal Order

Many high-profile figures across Nigeria are reportedly anxious following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to withdraw police escorts previously assigned to Very Important Persons (VIPs).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga announced the order on Sunday, explaining that police officers formerly attached to politicians, businessmen, and other VIPs would now be redeployed to core law enforcement duties. He noted that VIPs still requiring personal protection would need to request “well-armed personnel from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).”

Sources within the police told Vanguard that the announcement has triggered widespread concern among affected VIPs, many of whom have flooded the Force Headquarters with calls seeking clarification and reassurance.

Insiders say the main worry among VIPs is whether the NSCDC has the training, equipment, and operational capacity to match the level of protection previously provided by police personnel.

One source remarked, “It will be like engaging Boy Scouts for protection. The mobile policemen they are used to are far more agile and battle-ready to handle threats.”

Another VIP commented, “Providing police escorts to top officials and VIPs has long been a feature of Nigeria’s security landscape. But as the country faces growing insecurity, diverting police personnel for VIP protection raises serious questions about public safety and the police force’s effectiveness.”

He urged a more rationalised approach rather than a blanket ban, warning that the sudden withdrawal could heighten public fears of insecurity.

“The rationale for VIP protection is usually tied to the profile of the individual, perceived threats to their safety, and projecting influence,” he said. “While these measures are meant for security, they come at a high cost to the public, both in terms of resources diverted and the perception that the system favours the few over the many.”

A serving police officer, speaking anonymously, highlighted concerns that assigning officers to VIPs compromises policing in communities.

“In a country battling insurgency, armed robbery, kidnappings, and communal violence, diverting law enforcement to protect individuals who can afford private security is troubling,” the officer said. He added that high demand for VIP protection strains resource allocation, leaving police patrols understaffed and response times to emergency calls delayed.

Another insider at Force Headquarters in Abuja noted, “There are cases where an entire unit is deployed for a day to protect a governor or businessman, leaving their usual zones under-patrolled. It’s a major logistical challenge and undermines policing effectiveness.”

Human rights activist Tony Udemmadu stressed the broader societal impact, stating, “VIP police escorts risk eroding public trust. The public sees this practice as a symbol of inequality: while the elite receive protection, ordinary Nigerians face rising insecurity with insufficient police support. In high-crime regions like the Niger Delta or Northeast, the absence of visible police presence due to escort assignments worsens citizens’ vulnerability.”