FG Asks Public to Report VIPs Flouting Police‑Escort Ban

By Ireti Asemota.

The Presidency has enlisted citizens as the eyes and ears of enforcement for President Bola Tinubu’s sweeping directive to strip police protection from non-essential VIPs, aiming to refocus the force on frontline policing amid Nigeria’s escalating insecurity.

In a TVC interview on Sunday, November 30, 2025, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication Daniel Bwala called for public vigilance:

“If you spot a celebrity, private sector bigwig, or anyone with police escorts against the President’s order, document it — photo, video, whatever evidence you can get. Report it. We need your help to make this stick.”

The appeal comes as the November 21 executive order—pulling over 40,000 officers from VIP duties—faces patchy compliance, with reports of politicians, businessmen, and influencers still rolling with full security details.

What the Order Covers (and Doesn’t)

Bwala clarified the scope to avoid confusion:

Targeted: Private citizens, non-critical officials, and unnecessary escorts (e.g., socialites, contractors).
Exceptions: High-risk government figures retain protection via State Security Service (SSS), Civil Defence, or other agencies.

“Not all government people lose security. But police have no business being your personal bodyguard. They belong on the streets, protecting the rest of us.”

The move is part of Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” push to professionalize the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), redeploying manpower to hotspots like banditry zones and urban crime scenes. Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun has vowed “zero tolerance” for violations, with internal probes already underway.

Why It Matters: From VIP Luxury to Public Safety

Nigeria’s police-to-citizen ratio (1:650) is among Africa’s worst, per UN standards (1:450). With over 80% of officers tied to VIPs (estimates from CLEEN Foundation), communities suffer from under-policing—fueling kidnappings, robberies, and protests.

Early wins: 500+ officers redeployed to Abuja and Lagos in the first week, per NPF. But resistance from “untouchables” persists, prompting Bwala’s citizen-watch call.