Fatimah Otunsanya
The Nigeria Police Force has said that government officials who are statutorily entitled to police protection will continue to enjoy it until a fresh directive is issued by President Bola Tinubu.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated this on Tuesday during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, while providing clarification on the ongoing withdrawal of police personnel from private individuals and VIPs.
Hundeyin stressed that the presidential directive ordering the withdrawal of police officers attached to VIPs was being fully implemented, insisting that it was neither selective nor influenced by financial considerations.
“The directive is absolute, and the enforcement, too is absolute. It’s not about the highest bidder. It’s not about asking for more money. The instruction is to withdraw men from VIP protection, and that’s what we’ve done,” he said.
However, he explained that some categories of government officials were, by law, entitled to police protection and would retain such security until further orders from the Presidency.
He specifically mentioned governors and judges as examples but declined to disclose the full list.
“I will not go into a list or details. You’re free to get this information; it’s open-source. But for example, the governors are entitled. For example, judges are entitled to police protection. I’m just giving you two examples,” he said.
Hundeyin added that the Police would continue to provide protection for those statutorily entitled while awaiting additional guidance.
“Pending clearer directives from the Presidency, those who are statutorily entitled to police protection will still have it. But for now, everyone else who is not a government functionary and not so entitled may have had theirs withdrawn,” he said.
Addressing concerns about police officers performing menial tasks in private homes, Hundeyin noted that the Inspector General of Police had taken steps to end the practice even before the presidential order.
He disclosed that over 11,000 officers previously attached to VIPs had been recalled and would undergo retraining.
According to him, the personnel will be redeployed to police divisions to improve manpower, assigned to the newly established Special School Protection Squad to enhance security in schools, and deployed to military operational theatres to support counterterrorism and anti-banditry operations.
He declined to comment on numerical details, citing operational reasons.
On claims by the European Union that about 100,000 police officers were deployed to protect politicians and influential individuals, Hundeyin disputed the figure, saying the EU assessment was based on a different scope.
NigeriaTodayTimes reported that President Bola Tinubu on Sunday directed the withdrawal of police officers from VIP security duties and ordered that the personnel be reassigned to core policing functions.
The directive followed a security meeting held in Abuja with service chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services.
Last Thursday, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said a total of 11,566 personnel withdrawn from VIPs had been redeployed.