ADVICE TO MR. PRESIDENT: A GRACE PERIOD OF 90 DAYS SHOULD BE ADOPTED TO TRAIN ARMED PRIVATE SECURITY PERSONNEL TO TAKE OVER POLICE VIP ESCORT; LIMIT POLICE VIP ESCORT TO 1 OR 2 OFFICERS DURING THE YULETIDE.
By Dr. John Egbo, a retired USA trained Deputy Sheriff.
From a law-enforcement perspective, withdrawing VIP Police Escort for vulnerable political leaders, business executives, and other high-risk individuals in Nigeria without an effective transition plan is equivalent to creating new security problems while attempting to solve existing ones.
A more strategic approach would be to delay the implementation of this directive for at least 90 days, during which period, the government can fast-track the training and licensing of armed private security personnel capable of providing escort and protection services to private citizens. This is consistent with practices in developed countries such as the United States, where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu previously lived. In those systems, private security companies rather than state police provide protection for private individuals who require it.
Importantly, granting the President the sole discretion to decide who receives Police VIP Escort can easily be misinterpreted as political favoritism or even political witch-hunt, especially in Nigeria’s highly charged political environment. A transparent, rules-based system is therefore necessary to avoid such perceptions.
Furthermore, VIP Police Escorts should be standardized and limited to one or two officers, ensuring operational efficiency while stripping down unnecessary and excessive deployments. These officers also contribute to public safety because, wherever VIPs travel, escort teams serve as mobile patrol units, especially in areas without established police divisions.
As the Christmas season approaches a period historically associated with increased travel and heightened security risks exposing VIPs to avoidable vulnerability does not align with the fundamental purpose of policing, which is the protection of life and property for all persons.
Ultimately, the President is already burdened with the complex task of governing the nation and should not be directly involved in determining individual eligibility for VIP Police Escorts. A structured policy framework based on clear criteria, private security integration, and regulated police involvement offers a more sustainable and credible solution to Nigeria’s security challenges
Dr. John Egbo is a United States retired Deputy Sheriff and Consultant on Security Matters. Jnegbo1@gmail.com