Police Withdrawal Order to Shake Up N108 Billion VIP Security Market

Tinubu Moves to Free Police Officers for Public Safety

President Bola Tinubu’s directive to withdraw police officers assigned to Very Important Persons (VIPs) threatens to upend a shadowy N108 billion-a-year security market in Nigeria. For decades, tens of thousands of officers have been quietly deployed to protect politicians, business executives, celebrities, and luxury estates, diverting critical personnel from frontline policing.

The N108 billion figure represents the total estimated value of the VIP security system, including officers’ time, allowances, logistics, and other unregulated expenditures. Much of this money circulates outside official budgets, making the sector largely opaque and untraceable. Analysts say it is one of the largest informal economies within the Nigerian security apparatus.

Experts describe the withdrawal as a positive step for public safety. By returning officers to regular duties, the government hopes to strengthen law enforcement across the country. “This is about reclaiming critical human resources for policing ordinary citizens,” said a security analyst. “The VIP security system has grown over the years, but it has diverted officers from duties that affect the public directly.”’

The move also aims to curb the informal economy surrounding VIP security. For years, politicians and high-profile individuals have benefited from state-funded protection, often at the expense of public safety. Critics argue that this arrangement has perpetuated inequality, giving the wealthy and powerful access to officers while ordinary citizens wait for police response.

Government officials have stressed that VIPs will still receive protection, but through more structured means. Alternative arrangements, possibly involving private security firms or specialized police units under tighter supervision, are expected to replace the informal system.

Also read: Tinubu Orders Withdrawal of VIP Police Escorts, Approves 30,000 New Recruits

Some observers warn that the transition could face resistance from politicians used to personal police protection and officers who benefit from long-standing VIP assignments. Yet analysts argue that the long-term gains, improved response times, better frontline policing, and enhanced public trust are far more significant.

This reform is also seen as a move to modernize Nigeria’s policing framework. By reducing the overlap between personal protection and public duty, resources can be redirected to critical areas like crime prevention, emergency response, and community policing. The government’s stated goal is to create a professional police force focused on serving the public rather than private interests.

If implemented carefully, Tinubu’s order could mark a major turning point in Nigeria’s security landscape. The N108 billion VIP security economy may shrink, but its dissolution is expected to strengthen frontline policing, improve transparency, and restore public confidence in law enforcement.