The Federal Government has vowed to end misuse of security agencies for VIP escorts.
Hadiza Bala-Usman said officers must focus on national security, while elites hire licensed private guards.
The Federal Government has declared that security agencies will no longer be misused by Very Important Persons (VIPs), stressing that elite escorts should not undermine the nation’s broader security responsibilities.
This was disclosed by Hadiza Bala-Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination and head of the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU), during the Ministry of Interior’s performance retreat on Thursday in Abuja.
Bala-Usman raised concern about the practice of diverting police officers and specialized units away from critical assignments to provide escorts for individuals. She noted that the trend has overstretched Nigeria’s already limited security resources, leaving citizens without adequate protection.
“What troubles me most is seeing convoys of VIPs followed by dozens of policemen, while communities that truly need protection remain vulnerable,” she remarked. “It is unacceptable to assign officers trained for counter-terrorism operations just to follow individuals around in Ikoyi.”
The presidential aide revealed that the government is working on amending the Private Guard Companies Act so that licensed private security outfits can assume responsibility for VIP protection. “We need to release our policemen to focus on national security. If anyone wants armed protection, they should employ accredited private security companies. Our officers must not be tied down by such duties,” she said.
She added that she had personally reported instances where counter-terrorism operatives were stationed in her neighborhood to guard elites, stressing that this undermines efforts to fight crime and insecurity.
To address the gap, Bala-Usman proposed integrating retired senior police officers into professional private security systems, creating jobs while reducing the burden on serving personnel. “We have a pool of retired AIGs, DIGs, and commissioners who can be absorbed into private security roles, ensuring quality services while easing pressure on our agencies,” she explained.
She further emphasized that VIP protection should not be treated as a public entitlement. “Those who want such services must pay for them. Our security operatives exist to protect the country as a whole, not just a privileged few,” she stated.
According to her, the Ministry of Interior has been directed to accelerate the review of the law, with the amendment expected to be completed before the third quarter of 2025 ends.
