Nigeria Police Force don face fresh pressure as new report from European Union Agency for Asylum reveal say more than 100,000 police officers dey attached to VIPs—politicians, big business people and even some shady characters—while insecurity dey rise across the country.
The report talk say Nigeria get about 371,800 police officers to protect over 236 million people, giving ratio of 1 police to 637 Nigerians, wey fall below United Nations recommended 1 to 450. Many villages no even get police presence at all.
Experts dey blame the lack of manpower for why kidnapping, banditry, robbery and killings never stop. Save the Children report for 2023 talk say more than 1,680 schoolchildren don get kidnapped. Red Cross report say over 23,659 Nigeriansstill dey missing.
Past Government Efforts No Work
Since 2015, different governments and police bosses don try withdraw officers from VIPs but the order dey always fail.
Former PSC chairman Mike Okiro even talk for 2018 say “lack of funds” stop the enforcement—many Nigerians call this excuse unacceptable.
In 2020, then governor of Katsina, Aminu Masari, cry out say 30 police officers with only 10 guns dey protect 100 villages, while VIPs dey surrounded by officers.
VIP Protection Don Turn Business
Special protection units don turn monetised service as police officers dey follow celebrities, politicians and even people with questionable records—so long as dem fit pay.
Some officers still dey guard people wey leave government office more than 10 years ago—a situation many describe as “nonsense.”
Calls to Egbetokun
Security experts dey tell Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to strictly enforce im 2023 and 2025 orders to withdraw police from VIP escort work and return dem to protect ordinary Nigerians.
Dem say big men fit employ private bodyguards instead of hijacking government security resources.
With President Donald Trump recently tagging Nigeria as “Country of Particular Concern,” analysts believe say returning police officers to public duty go help improve Nigeria security image and save lives.
Dem also dey call for major police reforms, including reviewing the Police Act and retraining the entire workforce.
For now, Nigerians dey wait to see whether Egbetokun go break away from old habits and truly police the people—not just the privileged few.
