Following President Bola Tinubu’s directive withdrawing police officers attached to VIPs and politicians, some operatives of the Department of State Services have begun approaching influential Nigerians in a bid to serve as personal security escorts.
The President ordered the withdrawal of police personnel attached to VIPs on November 24 as part of efforts to strengthen internal security nationwide amid rising cases of kidnapping and violent crimes, particularly in parts of the North.
In a statement issued at the time, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President directed armed operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to take over VIP protection duties previously handled by the police.
Three days later, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, announced that 11,566 police officers had been withdrawn from VIP assignments and redeployed to frontline duties, especially in communities affected by crime.
Findings indicate that the withdrawal has triggered fresh security arrangements by prominent Nigerians, many of whom are now reaching out to the NSCDC and private security firms for escorts.
However, investigations revealed that some DSS officers have also been quietly lobbying highly placed individuals, asking them to influence their deployment as replacement security personnel.
A senior executive of a Federal Government revenue-generating agency in Lagos, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that DSS operatives familiar with him had visited twice to request that he speak with their state director for deployment.
He said the officers viewed the development as an opportunity to secure what they described as “juicy postings” following the withdrawal of the police officers previously attached to him.
“The policemen attached to me were withdrawn last week, and I was considering getting NSCDC personnel. But these DSS officers have been presenting themselves as alternatives. They came twice, asking me to speak with their director so they could be deployed here,” he said.
He added that he was yet to decide, questioning whether the DSS had sufficient manpower to take on widespread VIP protection duties.
Similarly, an aide to a businessman and religious leader in Osogbo, Osun State, confirmed that DSS officers had contacted the individual’s children to lobby for deployment as security escorts.
According to the aide, the officers indicated interest in replacing the withdrawn police personnel and requested that the businessman use his influence to facilitate their posting.
A senior DSS officer familiar with the situation, however, said those seeking such deployments were largely lower-ranking officers.
He explained that the DSS operates under strict posting guidelines and that arbitrary deployment to VIPs had been curtailed under the current Director-General, Adeola Ajayi.
“The rule is that officers above Level 13 are not deployed to VIPs except to governors or the State House in Abuja. Those making these moves are mostly lower cadre officers, and many of them may be chasing something that will not happen,” he said.
Another DSS officer acknowledged that while the service has statutory responsibility to protect certain categories of VIPs, deployment follows established protocols and is not automatic.
He cautioned officers against desperation, noting that security postings must align with operational priorities and internal regulations.
Meanwhile, demand for private security escorts has surged across the country following the police withdrawal.
Several private security operators confirmed receiving a spike in requests, particularly from individuals planning interstate travel.
The Managing Director of Sheriff Deputies, Island Anyasi, said demand had increased sharply but noted challenges due to reliance on the NSCDC for armed support.
He explained that while private firms often collaborate with government agencies, the sudden increase in requests had overwhelmed available resources.
Similarly, the Lagos Operations Manager of Proton Company Limited, Felix Bamgbose, said requests from high-profile individuals had doubled within a week, adding that police withdrawal had disrupted existing security arrangements.
Although private guards are not allowed to carry firearms, Bamgbose said some companies operate armed escorts through licensed partnerships with authorised agencies.
The Managing Director of Chogon Private Security Company Ltd, Anselm Ozueh, described the surge as unprecedented, saying demand for escorts had jumped from about 20 per cent to nearly 70 per cent following the President’s directive.
He said requests were coming from Abuja, Lagos, Anambra, Oyo and other states, noting that many clients preferred unarmed escorts to travelling without any form of security.
Ozueh added that a circular had recently been issued outlining procedures for private companies to request armed support from the NSCDC.
On the legislative front, the Senate has dismissed speculation that it plans to seek special security arrangements for lawmakers.
Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, said there was no discussion or intention to pursue collective protection for senators, stressing that lawmakers were expected to follow the same procedures as other public officials.
He said the President had made it clear that anyone requiring security should approach the NSCDC individually.
Adaramodu also assured senators that efforts were underway to strengthen security nationwide, including plans to recruit about 50,000 additional police officers.
Meanwhile, the Commander General of the Nigeria Forest Security Service, Joshua Osatimehin, warned that attacks on high-profile individuals could trigger widespread tension.
He said the withdrawal of police escorts was not a long-term solution to insecurity, noting that the abduction of a senator or minister would raise serious national concerns.
Osatimehin called for a more comprehensive approach to tackling insecurity, particularly in forested areas where criminal groups operate, while acknowledging the limited capacity of forest guards due to manpower and equipment constraints.
He urged the Federal Government to formally commission the organisation to enable it access modern weapons and play a more effective role in addressing security challenges nationwide.
