Still On President Tinubu’s Order On Withdrawal of Police Escorts From VIPs -By Tochukwu Jimo Obi

The issue of police escorts attached to politicians, wealthy individuals and influential personalities in Nigeria has continued to generate concern among citizens who believe that the primary duty of the police is gradually being abandoned. Few months ago, Bola Tinubu gave a marching order to the immediate past Inspector General of Police to withdraw police escorts from VIPs and redeploy officers to conventional policing duties across the country.

The directive was widely applauded by Nigerians who saw it as a bold step towards strengthening community policing and improving public security.

At the initial stage, the police hierarchy appeared to comply with the presidential order. Many police escorts attached to private individuals and politicians were reportedly withdrawn, while assurances were given that more officers would be deployed to streets, highways and crime-prone communities. Citizens expected that such redeployment would boost confidence in the police and improve response to insecurity across the nation.

However, weeks after the announcement, it now appears that the reverse has gradually become the reality. Across several cities in Nigeria today, one still sees politicians, captains of industry, businessmen and other influential persons moving around with heavily armed police escorts and long convoys. In some cases, private individuals who hold no constitutional office are accompanied by multiple security personnel, thereby raising questions about the sincerity and enforcement of the original directive.

The growing return of police escorts to VIPs has continued to reduce the number of officers available for ordinary policing duties. At a time when many communities are battling armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes, it is difficult to justify why a significant number of officers should still be attached to a privileged few. Many Nigerians have repeatedly complained that police presence is hardly visible in residential areas, yet armed escorts are readily available for the elite class.

It is important to recall that President Tinubu had directed that individuals who genuinely require security protection should seek such services through the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. The intention behind that directive was to reduce the burden on the police and allow them to focus on their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property. Unfortunately, many influential Nigerians still seem to prefer police, military or DSS protection, perhaps because of the prestige and authority associated with such security formations.

Nevertheless, commendation should be given to the current Inspector General of Police, Tunde Disu, for the institutional reforms and administrative measures he is reportedly implementing within the force. Efforts aimed at improving professionalism, discipline and operational efficiency deserve encouragement from Nigerians. The police leadership must continue to pursue reforms capable of restoring public trust in the institution.

Despite these commendable efforts, there is still a strong need for stricter supervision of Divisional Police Officers and other field commanders who often come under pressure from influential individuals seeking police protection. In many cases, local police authorities may find it difficult to resist requests from powerful politicians, businessmen and traditional elites. Without firm monitoring and accountability mechanisms, the presidential directive may continue to be undermined at different levels of the police structure.

The Inspector General of Police must therefore ensure that any officer who violates the presidential order on withdrawal of police protection from unauthorized VIPs faces appropriate disciplinary action. Enforcement must go beyond public statements and internal circulars. There should be regular audits of police personnel attached to individuals, while sanctions should be imposed on officers and commanders found culpable of abuse or illegal deployment of personnel. Such decisive actions will send a strong message that the era of indiscriminate use of police escorts is gradually coming to an end.

Beyond the immediate issue of police escorts, both the federal and state governments must fast-track discussions and actions towards the establishment of state police. Nigeria’s security challenges have become too enormous for a centralized policing structure alone to handle effectively. Properly regulated state police structures could complement federal policing efforts, improve intelligence gathering and enhance the protection of lives and properties at the grassroots level. Ultimately, the success of any policing reform will depend on political will, discipline within security agencies and the commitment to place public interest above elite privileges.

Tochukwu Jimo Obi, Obosi Anambra State.