President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister for Interior to work with the Inspector General of Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to replace the affected police personnel with NSCDC officers. During a Federal Executive Council meeting, Tinubu reiterated his order for the withdrawal of police officers currently attached to prominent individuals, emphasizing that they should be redeployed to areas impacted by insecurity. He stated: “I honestly believe in what I said, and I call on the IG. I hope the Minister for Police Affairs is here. So if you have any problem of security because of the nature of your assignment, please contact the IGP and get my clearance.”
Addressing concerns about the security implications of this withdrawal, Tinubu instructed the Minister for Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to coordinate with the IGP to ensure that the withdrawal does not leave individuals vulnerable. The President expressed the need for adequate security personnel in volatile regions: “It [withdrawal order] should be effected. We face challenges here and there of kidnapping and terrorism.”
On November 24, Tinubu initially ordered this withdrawal during a security meeting, aiming to redeploy officers to focus on their core police duties. In response, IGP Kayode Egbetokun announced that over 11,000 police personnel had been recalled for redeployment.
The withdrawal directive has garnered mixed reactions from the public. Senator Ali Ndume from Borno South noted the excess of police personnel assigned to the National Assembly compared to the current withdrawal, suggesting that the number of officers protecting lawmakers should be reduced as well. Similarly, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka criticized the excessive security detail accompanying Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, spotlighting the inconsistency in the application of the withdrawal order.
Former police officials have expressed caution regarding the directive. Retired AIG Abutu Yaro warned that the withdrawal must be carefully managed to avoid negative consequences. Mike Ejiofor, a former DSS director, questioned the capability of the NSCDC to adequately protect VIPs due to a lack of training and manpower.
In response to criticisms of selective enforcement of the directive, the Senate has commissioned its Committee on Police Affairs to investigate complaints raised about inconsistencies in the withdrawal of police escorts. Senator Abdul Ningi expressed concern that lawmakers were being disproportionately affected while others maintained their security details.
President Tinubu’s directive and the subsequent reactions underscore the challenges of balancing security provisions between protecting influential individuals and addressing broader national security issues. As discussions continue, the effectiveness of the withdrawal policy in enhancing security will be closely monitored.
