The signal, exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters, expressed the Inspector-General of Police’s “utmost dismay” that some officers remain attached to VIPs despite an existing presidential directive prohibiting such deployments.
Fresh internal directives from the Nigeria Police Force have revealed renewed efforts by the Force Headquarters to enforce President Bola Tinubu’s order withdrawing police personnel from unauthorised VIP protection duties, amid concerns that many officers continue to flout the directive.
A police wireless message dated July 8, 2026 and signed by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Police Mobile Force (PMF), Force Headquarters, Abuja, was dispatched to all PMF Commandants and Commanding Officers across the country, warning against the continued misuse of police personnel for private escort and protection assignments.
The signal, exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters, expressed the Inspector-General of Police’s “utmost dismay” that some officers remain attached to VIPs despite an existing presidential directive prohibiting such deployments.
The internal message stated that the Inspector-General has observed with utmost dismay that some policemen are still violating the presidential directives on the withdrawal of police from VIPs.
The directive reminded all PMF formations that the presidential order cancelling the deployment of police personnel for VIP protection “remains fully in force,” stressing that there has been no amendment, exemption, or informal understanding that overrides the policy.
The signal referenced an earlier police communication issued on December 1, 2025, reiterating that officers must comply without exception.
Force Headquarters also clarified that police personnel assigned to guard facilities designated as national assets are strictly limited to protecting those installations.
According to the directive, such personnel are not permitted to accompany, escort, or provide personal security to any individual outside the facilities they are deployed to protect.
The latest order suggests that despite repeated directives, some police formations have continued to deploy officers to politicians, business executives, and other influential individuals in violation of official policy.
The Nigeria Police Force has in recent months repeatedly insisted that its limited personnel should be redirected toward public safety, crime prevention, and the protection of critical national infrastructure rather than private VIP security.
However, compliance has remained a challenge, with influential individuals reportedly continuing to retain police escorts despite the standing presidential directive.
The signal read, “CB:4001/DOPS/PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.51/44 X ORDER AND DIRETIVES X INGENPOL HAS OBSERVED WITH UTMOST DISMAY THAT X SOME POLICEMEN ARE STILL VIOLATING THE PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVES ON THE WITHDRAWAL OF POLICE FROM VIPS X YOU ARE HEREBY REMINDED THAT THE PREISDENTIAL DIRECTIVE CANCELLING THE DEPLOYMENT OF POLICE PERSONNEL FOR VIP PROTECTION DUTIES X REMAINS FULLY IN FORCE X NO AMENDMENT X EXEMPTION OR INFORMAL UNDERSTANDING OVERIDES IT X AS CONTAINED IN EARLIER SIG MINE NO.
CB:4001/DOPS/PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.50/12 DTO:011830/12/2025 X BE EQUALLY REMINDED THAT X PERSONNEL DEPLOYED TO GUARD FACILITIES OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE ARE LIMITED STRICTLY FOR THE PROTECTION OF SUCH FACILITIES X THE DEPLOYMENT DOES NOT EXTEND TO FOLLOWING X ESCORTING OR ACCOMPANYING ANY INDIVIDUAL OUTSIDE THE PREMISES BEING GUARDED X PERSONNEL.”
© HMT/AN
