Why is VIP and VVIP Police Attachment still on after President Tinubu's order to abolish the practice

The End of VIP Police Attachments: Why the Policy Has Struggled to Succeed.

For years, successive Inspectors-General of Police (IGPs) in Nigeria have announced plans to withdraw police officers attached to private individuals, politicians, businessmen, celebrities, and companies, directing them back to core policing duties. The objective has always been the same: increase the number of officers available to protect the general public and improve security across the country.

The Nigerian Government strictly bans the deployment of police officers as personal bodyguards, escorts, or domestic staff for civilian VIPs. President Tinubu issued a directive mandating that all police officers guarding civilians return to core frontline policing. Civilians requiring armed protection are now required to use personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The police command maintains a strict enforcement policy against the unauthorized attachment of officers to civilians, as the diversion of tens of thousands of personnel historically degraded community security.

But unfortunately nothing has changed except for the fact that this attache no longer wear the Nigerian police uniforms when with their civilian masters.

Is it that the government is playing games with this declaration too or why is the number of police men serving in the Nigerian police force not checked to determine those still working outside. Some still use uniforms while with their civilian masters. 

Unlike before, you'll see a rich man with about 3-6 hefty men in dark glasses around him everywhere he goes also with escorts driving like they're carrying the head of state. This is how sirens were blown all over the place as a result of police escort of Civilians masters. 

The state actors failed to direct the use of sirens to the police, Army, medical emergency or government officials only. 

Civilians too put the sirens in their hilux just to intimidated other road users and the government has find it so difficult to control. Sometimes, it was said that Armed gangs used the sirens to escape a crimes scene and got away because the road was cleared for them.

Despite these announcements, the practice of assigning police officers to VIPs has continued, raising questions about why the policy has repeatedly failed to achieve its intended goals.

Why Was the Order Given?

The Nigeria Police Force is primarily established to maintain law and order, prevent crime, investigate offences, and protect all citizens equally. However, over the years, thousands of officers have been deployed to guard private individuals instead of performing community policing and crime-fighting duties.

The order to withdraw VIP attachments was intended to:

Return officers to regular policing.

Increase police visibility in communities.

Improve emergency response times.

Address the shortage of personnel in police stations.

Restore public confidence in the police.

Why Has the Policy Struggled?

1. High Demand for Personal Security

Nigeria faces serious security challenges, including kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism, and violent crime. Many wealthy individuals, public officials, and businesses seek police protection because they believe it offers more legitimacy than private security.

2. Political Influence.

Some influential individuals have enough political or economic influence to retain police escorts even after withdrawal directives are issued.

3. Revenue Considerations

In some cases, police attachments to organisations and institutions generate official fees or logistical support, making the system difficult to dismantle completely.

4. Weak Enforcement.

Several withdrawal directives have been announced over the years, but enforcement has often been inconsistent. Some officers return to regular duties temporarily before being reassigned.

5. Genuine Security Risks.

Certain public office holders, judges, diplomats, and individuals facing credible threats may legitimately require police protection. Distinguishing between necessary protection and unnecessary VIP privilege can be challenging.

The Impact on Ordinary Nigerians

When a significant number of officers are assigned to private duties, communities may experience:

Fewer patrol officers.

Slower emergency responses.

Reduced police visibility.

Increased pressure on officers remaining at police stations.

Greater public perception of unequal access to security.

Many Nigerians argue that security should not appear to favour only those with influence or wealth.

What Could Make the Policy Work?

For reforms to succeed, experts often suggest:

Clearly defining who qualifies for official police protection.

Strengthening community policing.

Recruiting and training more police officers.

Improving police welfare and equipment.

Expanding regulation of licensed private security companies to handle routine private guarding while the police focus on public safety.

Conclusion.

The repeated attempts to end widespread VIP police attachments reflect a broader challenge within Nigeria's security system. While some individuals genuinely require police protection, the police's primary responsibility remains serving the public as a whole.

Achieving that balance will require consistent enforcement, transparent policies, adequate manpower, and broader security reforms. Only then can more officers return to the streets where many Nigerians believe they are needed most.