By JOSHUA DADA, EMMANUEL MGBEAHURIKE, Richard Ndoma, Felix Igbekoyi, Adebayo Waheed, Nnamdi Mbawike, ABU NMODU, ATTAH ANTHONY, NONYE EKWENUGO and AZA MSUE
The presidential directive withdrawing police personnel attached to unauthorised very important personalities (VIPs) is being met with mixed compliance across states, as investigations by LEADERSHIP Sunday revealed that many politicians, businessmen and other prominent individuals still travel with police escorts despite the order.
The directive was issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 23 November 2025 at a high-level security meeting in Abuja.
He said that police officers assigned to guard Very Important Persons across Nigeria should be redeployed to routine community policing duties.
The president also said that VIPs requiring security escorts must request armed personnel from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The order, backed by operational orders from the Nigeria Police Force, requires the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to unauthorised VIPs and mandates the arrest of officers found providing illegal escort services.
To ensure compliance, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) directed the airport security commanders in Abuja and Lagos to arrest any police officer observed escorting unauthorised VIPs.
The Force Headquarters also issued wireless operational signals warning commanders that supervisors who failed to enforce the directive would face disciplinary action. Monitoring of compliance has been assigned to the Compol X-Squad and the IGP Monitoring Unit.
However, checks by LEADERSHIP Sunday across several states showed that although the directive is being implemented in principle, enforcement remains uneven, with security concerns and selective exemptions cited as reasons for the continued use of police escorts.
In Osun State, where political tension has escalated ahead of the August 15 governorship election, the directive has not been fully enforced. Several VIPs, particularly political figures, were still seen travelling with police officers and other security operatives.
A retired police officer and security expert, Nureni Olapade, attributed the situation to the prevailing security challenges in the state.
No fewer than 15 people have been killed in election-related violence ahead of the governorship poll, while several political figures have reportedly raised concerns about threats to their lives.
Similarly, in Imo State, the Police Command said it had complied with the IGP’s directive by withdrawing police orderlies attached to individuals not entitled to statutory protection.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Henry Okoye, said, “We have withdrawn over 60% of orderlies assigned to politicians, businessmen and traditional rulers who don’t qualify. Only the governor, deputy governor, speaker, chief justice, and first-class traditional rulers facing security threats retain statutory protection.”
Despite the assurance, many traditional rulers and VIPs in Owerri were still seen moving with police escorts, and residents attributed the situation to the state’s security challenges.
Although the directive has created anxiety among many VIPs in Delta State, investigations have shown that police escorts still accompany prominent individuals, albeit discreetly.
Some officers reportedly wear mufti while travelling in the same vehicle as VIPs or follow in separate vehicles. Others allegedly disguise themselves as drivers or wear NSCDC and vigilante uniforms to avoid attracting attention at security checkpoints.
In Abia State, police authorities insisted that the directive had been implemented immediately, although checks showed that some VIPs still retained police personnel.
The Enugu State Police Command also maintained that the directive remained in force across the state. However, investigations revealed that many political office-holders and other influential people still travel with police escorts.
A security expert, Mr Ndukuba Elias, said the continued use of escorts was linked to fears of kidnapping beyond Enugu State.
