Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has mandated the swift arrest of any officer discovered providing security escorts to unauthorized VIPs, according to a directive confirmed by reports.
The order, disseminated via an official signal on November 30, tasks the IGP Monitoring Unit and state Commissioners of Police X-Squads with rigorous oversight to enforce full adherence.
This escalation follows persistent reports of non-compliance, where some officers assigned to ineligible VIPs previously instructed to return to their bases, have continued their duties despite clear presidential guidance.
The crackdown stems from President Bola Tinubu's November 23 announcement, driven by rising national insecurity and a pressing need to redistribute police resources for public protection.
Tinubu directed the immediate recall of personnel from VIP details, urging private citizens to seek alternative security from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) if required.
Despite the IGP's declaration last Thursday that more than 11,000 officers had been pulled from such roles, social media has been rife with photos and videos showing uniformed personnel still shadowing non-official figures, prompting swift action.
To stamp out these violations, the IGP's Sunday directive circulated to the Department of Operations, Assistant Inspectors General across zones, the Mobile Police Force, VIP Protection Unit, Counter-Terrorism Force, Federal Operations Unit, and all state commands stresses zero tolerance.
It explicitly states that any officer found escorting a VIP beyond designated official zones faces immediate detention, with supervising officers also liable for disciplinary measures.
Force Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, when reached for comment, affirmed the policy's rollout, emphasizing that only individuals legally entitled to police protection such as high-ranking public officials will retain their security details.
"This is about refocusing our officers where they're needed most: safeguarding the Nigerian people," Hundeyin stated.
The initiative aligns with broader reforms to optimize the Nigeria Police Force's 400,000-strong workforce, potentially freeing up thousands more for community patrols and crime prevention amid ongoing challenges like banditry and urban unrest.
As enforcement ramps up, authorities anticipate a noticeable uptick in visible policing across the country.
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