By Adewole Kehinde
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to withdraw police personnel from Very Important Persons (VIPs) and replace them, where necessary, with officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has generated predictable debate.
Some praise it as a bold correction to long-standing abuse of police manpower, while others fear it may expose the country’s elite to greater security risks. Whatever one’s perspective, the consequences of this policy will be far-reaching.
1. Restoring the Police to Their Core Duties
For decades, the Nigeria Police Force has been trapped in an upside-down structure where thousands of its officers are deployed not for public safety but for the comfort of private individuals.
Politicians, businessmen, traditional rulers, and celebrities hold more officers than in many local government areas. Tinubu’s order directly confronts this distortion.
If implemented faithfully, it will help refocus the police on their constitutional mandate: protecting society, not a privileged few.
A police force that is present in communities, not estates and convoy formations, can respond faster to emergencies and build trust with citizens. The biggest beneficiaries of this reform may be ordinary Nigerians who have long complained of inadequate police presence.
2. Strengthening the NSCDC’s Relevance and Responsibility
Replacing police security details with Civil Defence personnel is both an empowerment strategy and a test for the NSCDC.
The Corps has grown steadily since its formal establishment in 2003, but it has often operated in the shadow of the police. This policy elevates its responsibilities and visibility.
However, with greater responsibility comes greater scrutiny. The NSCDC must prove that its officers are well-trained, disciplined, and capable of handling VIP protection. Any major lapse will not only embarrass the Corps but also raise questions about the wisdom of the new arrangement.
3. A Blow to Entitlement Culture
Nigeria’s elite class is accustomed to viewing police protection as a right rather than a privilege. Many VIPs may resist, complain, or attempt to circumvent the new policy. But the hard truth is that no nation can afford to assign state-funded security to private individuals at the expense of public safety.
Tinubu’s directive sends a clear message: public institutions do not exist to serve personal comfort. If VIPs require additional security, they can engage licensed private security companies, just like in developed democracies.
4. Pressure on the Police to Reform Internally
This policy could also force the Nigeria Police Force to confront an uncomfortable reality: the VIP protection model has been a lucrative corner for some officers.
Withdrawing these postings removes opportunities for unofficial allowances and benefits. It may cause internal resistance, but it could also reduce corruption and exploitation tied to “attached security” arrangements.
The police leadership must now strengthen training, recruitment, and deployment strategies to rebuild professionalism and public trust.
5. Potential Risks and Implementation Challenges
The success of this directive will depend on execution. Hasty withdrawal without adequate transition can create security gaps. Not all VIPs face the same level of threat, and some may genuinely require highly trained protection. Civil Defence officers must therefore undergo targeted training in:
- escort operations
- counter-ambush tactics
- firearms discipline
- conflict de-escalation
- convoy management
If these gaps are not addressed, the country may witness avoidable security breaches.
6. A Necessary Step Toward a Modern Security Architecture
Despite the concerns, Tinubu’s policy aligns with global best practice. In many countries, elite police protection is limited to a very small group of national officials. Police resources are not scattered around private individuals.
Nigeria’s security architecture has long needed restructuring. This move, if followed by broader reforms, could help create a more efficient, intelligent, and people-focused security system.
Conclusion: A Reform Worth Pursuing—But Carefully
President Tinubu’s withdrawal of police from VIPs and the reassignment of responsibilities to the Civil Defence Corps is not perfect, but it is a step in the right direction. It challenges entitlement, redistributes manpower, and allows the NSCDC to prove its value.
The consequences will be significant, both positive and negative, but the ultimate question is whether Nigeria wants a policing system built for public safety or for private privilege.
Reforms are never easy, but this one is necessary. How well it succeeds will depend on discipline, training, and sustained political will.
Adewole Kehinde is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja. Email: kennyadewole@gmail.com X:@kennyadewole
