Sources have told SaharaReporters that Nigeria Police officers affected by President Bola Tinubu’s directive to withdraw personnel from VIP and private protection duties have found ways to circumvent the order. Some officers reportedly disguise themselves in vigilante and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) uniforms, while others pose as corporate drivers, continuing to provide protection to VIPs.

The withdrawal directive, issued to Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, required officers assigned to non-essential VIP duties to return to their bases and surrender their service rifles for redeployment to core policing tasks. However, SaharaReporters learned that many officers paid bribes of up to ₦500,000 to have their rifles reissued and resumed duties under informal arrangements.

“Police officers are now disguising themselves in vigilante and NSCDC uniforms to evade the withdrawal order,” a source said. “Some officers wear suits and act as private drivers for VIPs. Most affected personnel have already returned to work despite the directive.”

While the IGP formed a monitoring team to enforce compliance, sources claim the exercise was largely symbolic, with a few officers arrested and immediately released. Critics argue that the directive has mainly benefited senior officers financially, while the intended reduction in police deployment for VIP protection has not materialized.

President Tinubu’s directive, issued on November 23, 2025, aimed to redirect police manpower toward combating escalating insecurity, including kidnappings in Kebbi and Niger states. He recommended that VIPs seeking protection utilize the NSCDC and approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers to strengthen the force.

Despite the directive, resistance from parts of the political elite remains strong. Some senators expressed concerns about personal security without police escorts, and previous attempts at similar withdrawals by past administrations also failed to achieve full compliance.