Police Escort Withdrawal: DSS Officers Seek VIP Protection Roles

Following President Bola Tinubu’s directive withdrawing police escorts from VIPs and political office holders, some officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) have reportedly begun lobbying influential Nigerians to be engaged as personal security details.

The President, on November 24, ordered the recall of police personnel attached to VIPs as part of efforts to strengthen internal security and redeploy officers to communities grappling with rising cases of kidnapping and violent crime, particularly in parts of Northern Nigeria. The directive was communicated by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who stated that operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) would henceforth handle VIP protection duties.

In line with the order, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, later confirmed that 11,566 police officers had been withdrawn from VIP assignments and redeployed for frontline policing. He explained that the move was aimed at refocusing security resources on crime-prone communities.

DSS officers reportedly lobby VIPs

Investigations revealed that, in the wake of the police withdrawal, some DSS officers have approached highly placed individuals, urging them to request their deployment as replacement security details. Prominent Nigerians, meanwhile, are said to be reaching out to the NSCDC and private security firms for protection.

One senior government official in Lagos, who spoke anonymously, disclosed that DSS officers familiar with him had met him on multiple occasions, asking him to contact their state director to facilitate their deployment as his personal guards. According to him, the officers appeared to view the posting as a “juicy” assignment following the police recall.

Similarly, an aide to a businessman and religious leader in Osun State confirmed that DSS personnel had contacted members of the businessman’s family to express interest in replacing withdrawn police escorts.

However, a senior DSS officer dismissed fears of indiscriminate deployments, stressing that strict internal rules regulate VIP attachments. He noted that under the current Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi, arbitrary postings had been eliminated, adding that only officers below a certain rank could be considered for VIP duties, except in special cases involving governors or the Presidency.

Another DSS source acknowledged that VIP protection falls within the agency’s statutory responsibilities but cautioned officers against desperation. He emphasised that all deployments must follow established protocols and are not automatic.

Private security demand surges

The withdrawal of police escorts has also triggered a sharp rise in demand for private security services nationwide. Several private security operators confirmed receiving an influx of requests, particularly from VIPs planning interstate travel.

Security firm executives reported that demand for escorts had doubled in some cases, despite the fact that private guards are largely unarmed. Some companies, however, said they operate partnerships with authorised agencies that can provide armed support where permitted.

One security company executive described the surge as unprecedented, noting that requests for escort services had risen from about 20 per cent to nearly 70 per cent since the announcement. Calls, he said, were received from Abuja, Lagos, Anambra and Oyo states within a single day.

Senate denies seeking special protection

Meanwhile, the Senate has dismissed speculation that lawmakers are seeking special security arrangements. Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, said there was no plan for collective protection for senators, noting that individual lawmakers were free to make personal security arrangements through the NSCDC, in line with presidential directives.

He reiterated the Senate’s support for the President’s security reforms and urged calm, assuring that additional police recruitment plans—estimated at about 50,000 officers—were underway to boost national security.

Warnings over possible backlash

The Commander General of the Nigeria Forest Security Service, Joshua Osatimehin, has warned that any successful attack or abduction involving a high-profile individual could heighten national tension. He argued that insecurity must be addressed at its roots, particularly in forested areas where criminal groups often operate.

While stating that his organisation was ready to assist in VIP protection, Osatimehin admitted that forest guards lacked adequate manpower and equipment. He called on the Federal Government to formally empower and equip the outfit to enhance its capacity to combat insecurity.