VIP Escort Withdrawal: DIG Zanna Ibrahim warns Presidential directive will fail again without deep reforms

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Zanna Mohammed Ibrahim, (Rtd)  has cautioned that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive ordering the withdrawal of police officers from VIPs will fail just like similar directives issued in the past unless Nigeria confronts the deep structural problems that have long weakened the country’s policing system.

In a detailed analysis, the retired DIG said the problem goes far beyond presidential orders, noting that successive Inspectors-General of Police have issued the same instruction over the years but lacked the structural support to enforce it.

“VIP Protection Has Become an Economy Inside the Police”

Ibrahim revealed that nearly one-quarter of Nigeria’s police workforce between 80,000 and 90,000 officers is currently deployed as personal security to politicians, businessmen, entertainers, expatriates, religious figures, malls, banks and private individuals “seeking status.”

He described the VIP escort system as a “cash cow” that generates official and unofficial revenue streams for officers and commanders, making the structure extremely resistant to reform.

Operational Policing Left in Ruins

The retired DIG warned that the diversion of personnel to VIP duties has severely weakened policing nationwide.

According to him: “Police stations are understaffed  Rural and peri-urban communities are exposed Response times are slow Intelligence gathering is weak . Crime prevention has become reactive instead of proactive”

Political Pressure Complicates Enforcement

He added that many influential Nigerians view police escorts as a “right of office” or a “status symbol,” making withdrawal difficult. Attempts to enforce past directives, he said, collapsed under: Political interference pressure from businessmen influence from power brokers exploration of legal gray areas

What is needed

The former police chief insisted that only systemic change can resolve the problem.

He recommended the following: 

 Creation of a dedicated VIP protection unit 

Similar to security models in the U.S., U.K. and South Africa, he advised establishing a small federal VIP Protection Command or relocating VIP protection entirely to the NSCDC, removing the financial incentives currently embedded in the police.

Ban on regular Police officers guarding private individuals 

Ibrahim noted that in developed countries, police protect only public office holders and strategic assets, while private individuals rely on licensed security firms.

 Transparent cost recovery system 

VIPs who insist on escorts should pay full official costs into a federal account—ending the unofficial revenue system.

Improved Police strength and training 

He stressed that recruitment must be linked to modern policing standards and proper deployment, with stations equipped with communication tools, patrol vehicles and logistics support.

 Heavy investment  in Policing technology 

He listed CCTV networks, body cameras, drones, emergency call systems, ANPR, community crime dashboards and data-driven policing as essential modern tools.

Strong political will 

According to him, the success of the reform hinges on the President’s resolve, strict enforcement by the IGP, civil society support and sustained media scrutiny.

Practical steps for implementation 

Ibrahim outlined steps the government must take immediately for the policy to succeed:

Publish a list of withdrawn officers

Deploy them to stations, patrols and intelligence units

Establish an NSCDC-based VIP Protection Service

 Ban direct escort requests to the IGP or Commissioners of Police

Digitise all VIP security requests

Introduce penalties for illegal escorts

 Reward officers returning to active policing

Conduct surprise audits of formations

Launch a national policing-reform communication campaign

Use community policing to fill temporary gaps

Outcome If Implemented Properly

If government shows unwavering commitment, the retired DIG said Nigeria could:

 Free up 70,000 90,000 officers for real policing

 Strengthen urban and rural security

 Reduce crime nationwide

Professional VIP protection

Dismantle entrenched corruption networks within the force

However, he warned that “the true test will be in the implementation not the announcement.”