FG urges Nigerians to report unlawful police escorts for VIPs
The federal government has appealed to citizens to help enforce a recent directive withdrawing police protection for VIPs, urging members of the public to report anyone still using police escorts.
The call was made by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Daniel Bwala, who stated that Nigerians should document, and if possible photograph or film, any instance where police officers are seen accompanying individuals outside the scope of the directive.
Bwala clarified that the order does not eliminate protection entirely but reserves police security only for “critical” government officials. For others seeking protection, the government recommends using alternate security agencies such as State Security Service (SSS) or Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
This reminder comes after a directive by Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordering the withdrawal of police officers from VIP protection and redeploying them to core policing duties, a bid to strengthen security presence across underserved communities.
The government says the move aims to optimize deployment of police manpower, improve frontline policing, and reduce misuse of security resources.