IGP ORDERS ARREST OF POLICE OFFICERS FOUND ESCORTING UNAUTHORIZED VIPS

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has issued a firm directive for the immediate arrest of any police officer found escorting VIPs who are not legally entitled to such protection. This order was communicated via a police signal dated November 30.

The IGP mandated the Monitoring Unit and Commissioners of Police in charge of X-Squad operations to ensure strict enforcement of this directive across the country. The move follows reports that several police personnel withdrawn from VIP escorts, following President Bola Tinubu’s order, have yet to return to their respective bases.

President Bola Tinubu had on November 23 instructed the withdrawal of all police officers attached to private individuals, citing rising insecurity and the urgent need to redeploy officers to protect the general population. He advised individuals requiring personal security to seek assistance from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Despite the police chief’s earlier announcement that over 11,000 personnel had been withdrawn, social media has continued to circulate images and videos showing officers still serving non-entitled VIPs.

In the new wireless message, the IGP directed all relevant formations to ensure immediate compliance. These include the Department of Operations, AIGs in charge of Zones, the Mobile Police Force, VIP Protection Unit, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Federal Operations, and all state and area commands. The signal stressed, “Any police officer found escorting a VIP outside approved duty protocols must be arrested without delay.”

It further warned that supervising officers who fail to enforce the directive would face disciplinary action.

When contacted, Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) CSP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the development, noting that the IGP’s directive would be fully implemented. “Only those legally entitled to police protection will retain their escorts,” Hundeyin said.