Over 100,000 Police Officers Guard Politicians, VIPs Instead of Citizens

EU report says 100,000 Nigerian police protect VIPs, not citizens.
Manpower shortage, corruption hinder effective policing nationwide.
Bala-Usman urges VIPs to hire private guards, not divert police.

Nigeria Police Force (NPF) are currently assigned to protect politicians and other Very Important Persons, leaving millions of citizens without adequate security coverage.

The November 2025 report estimated Nigeria’s police strength at 371,800 officers for a population of 236.7 million, describing the ratio as grossly insufficient. It said the diversion of a large number of personnel to VIP protection has worsened the country’s already weak policing capacity.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that it noted that this manpower imbalance, coupled with corruption and poor funding, has caused delayed crime response and left several communities vulnerable. The report added that “weak accountability mechanisms” have also encouraged misconduct, including extortion, arbitrary arrests, and excessive use of force.

Efforts to reach the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages.

The deployment of police personnel for VIP protection has long been a controversial issue. In June 2023 and April 2025, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the withdrawal of Mobile Police Force officers from VIP duties, directing them to focus on national operations.

However, the EU report shows that such directives have had limited effect. In August, Presidential Adviser Hadiza Bala-Usman also condemned the practice, urging VIPs to hire private security instead of diverting police from public duties.