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DSS officers reportedly lobby VIPs to replace withdrawn police escorts
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Tinubu’s order redeploys 11,566 police personnel to frontline duties
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Private security demand jumps to 70% nationwide, operators confirm
The withdrawal of police escorts from politically exposed persons and high-profile individuals has triggered behind-the-scenes manoeuvring by some officers of the Department of State Services (DSS), who are now reportedly lobbying influential Nigerians for deployment as personal security details.
It was gathered that the development followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive ordering the withdrawal of police personnel attached to VIPs and politicians, as part of renewed efforts to confront escalating insecurity across the country.
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The directive, issued on November 24, was aimed at redeploying police officers to crime-ravaged communities, particularly in parts of Kwara, Kebbi, Niger and other northern states grappling with kidnapping and violent crimes.
In a statement issued at the time, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that the President approved the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to take over VIP protection duties previously handled by the police.
Three days later, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, announced that no fewer than 11,566 police personnel had been withdrawn from VIP assignments and redeployed nationwide.
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Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Egbetokun said the move was intended to strengthen community policing and refocus manpower on areas most affected by criminal activities.
However, investigations revealed that the withdrawal has created a scramble among security agencies and private operators, with some DSS officers allegedly exploiting the vacuum to lobby for deployment to influential individuals.
A senior executive of a federal revenue-generating agency in Lagos, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said some DSS officers he had long known approached him twice after his police escorts were withdrawn.
“They came requesting that I speak with their state director so they could be deployed here as my new security guards. They clearly saw this place as a juicy posting,” he said, adding that he was still undecided due to concerns over the size and operational capacity of the DSS.
Similarly, an aide to a prominent businessman and religious leader in Osogbo, Osun State, confirmed that DSS officers had reached out to the man’s children, expressing interest in replacing the withdrawn police escorts.
A senior DSS officer, however, described such moves as largely futile, noting that the Service operates strict deployment rules under its current leadership.
According to him, the Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi, has abolished arbitrary postings, stressing that officers above Level 13 are not deployed to VIP duties except for governors or the Presidency.
“Those seeking such postings are mostly lower-cadre officers. Under the current DG, arbitrary deployment has been eradicated, so many of them are chasing shadows,” the officer said.
Another DSS official acknowledged that protecting VIPs falls within the agency’s statutory responsibilities but warned against desperation.
“Deployment follows established protocols. It is not automatic, and officers seeking ‘juicy’ postings should understand that,” he said.
Meanwhile, the withdrawal of police escorts has led to an unprecedented surge in demand for private security services nationwide.
Several private security operators confirmed that requests for escorts have increased sharply, particularly from VIPs planning interstate travel.
Managing Director of Sheriff Deputies, Mr Island Anyasi, said demand had doubled in the past week, noting that the NSCDC was overwhelmed by the sudden pressure.
“The demand has increased significantly since the President’s order. The NSCDC is struggling to fill the gap, and private companies are stepping in,” he said.
Similarly, Lagos Operations Manager of Proton Company Limited, Mr Felix Bamgbose, said requests from high-profile individuals had risen beyond normal levels, despite private guards being unarmed.
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The Managing Director of Chogon Private Security Company Ltd, Mr Anselm Ozueh, described the surge as unprecedented, revealing that demand for escorts had jumped from 20 per cent to about 70 per cent within days.
“People believe it is better to move with trained security personnel than travel alone, even without firearms,” he explained.
Reacting to speculation, the Senate denied any plan to seek special security cover for lawmakers.
Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, said there had been no discussion or proposal to secure collective protection for senators, stressing that lawmakers would follow the same procedure as other public officials.
“The President has made it clear that anyone who needs security should approach the NSCDC. The Senate will not sit to request special protection for its members,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Commander-General of the Nigeria Forest Security Service, Joshua Osatimehin, warned that any attack on a senator or minister could trigger national tension and damage Nigeria’s global image.
“If a senator can be kidnapped, what hope does the ordinary Nigerian have?” he asked, while calling for deeper efforts to tackle insecurity at its roots, particularly in forested areas.
Osatimehin admitted that his organisation lacked the manpower and equipment to provide full VIP protection, urging the Federal Government to formally commission forest guards to strengthen national security.
