VIP Escort Shake-Up: Private Guards And NSCDC Officers In Skyrocketing Demand

Demand for private security firms and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is surging following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to withdraw police escorts from Very Important Personalities (VIPs).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The President issued the order on Sunday, explaining that the move aims to redeploy more police officers to underserved communities across Nigeria, rather than leaving citizens unprotected.

On Thursday, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun confirmed that 11,566 officers previously assigned to VIP protection had already been recalled, marking a significant shift in the nation’s personal security landscape.

Investigations by The Nation revealed that affected VIPs are increasingly relying on private security contractors and NSCDC personnel to safeguard themselves and their families.

At the NSCDC Headquarters in Abuja, sources disclosed that high-profile political figures, business leaders, and their aides are discreetly requesting the deployment of armed personnel.

One insider explained, “Requests for NSCDC personnel have started pouring in, but our manpower is limited. Our last recruitment added 5,000 officers, and the upcoming one will bring 10,000 more. However, the less than 100,000 personnel we have are already spread across the country, covering areas affected by mining, pipeline security, and other critical operations.

“For major events like the 2025 Abuja Independence Day celebration, we deployed about 4,500 personnel, while the 2025 Anambra governorship election alone required 10,000 officers.”

Another source in Enugu added that applications for NSCDC protection services have surged dramatically in the past few days.