A recent report by the European Union Agency for Asylum has cast a stark light on Nigeria’s escalating security challenges, pinpointing a critical misallocation of police resources that undermines national safety. Despite a nationwide surge in insecurity, a staggering one-third of the operational police strength is currently deployed to protect politicians and other Very Important Persons (VIPs), diverting essential manpower from its primary constitutional duties.
This indicting revelation, though not new, underscores a persistent and deeply problematic issue. With an estimated police strength of 371,800 serving a population projected at 236,747,130 in 2024, the disproportionate number of personnel assigned to guard duties is alarming. The report explicitly states that more than 100,000 police officers are engaged in protecting the affluent and influential, leaving millions of ordinary citizens vulnerable and underserved.
The consequences of this misdirection are severe. The report highlights that corruption and limited resources within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) contribute to slow emergency response times, leaving numerous communities with minimal or no security protection. The NPF is constitutionally mandated to maintain law and order, preserve peace, prevent and detect crime, and perform related duties. However, the current deployment strategy directly impedes its ability to fulfill these fundamental responsibilities.
Nigeria’s police force is already glaringly inadequate for its population size, falling far short of the United Nations recommended ratio of 1 policeman to 450 citizens. The diversion of a significant portion of this already insufficient manpower exacerbates the problem, creating a vacuum in public security.
This critical shortfall has necessitated the deployment of military troops across all 36 states to undertake duties that are ordinarily within the constitutional purview of the police. The military, now visibly overstretched, is experiencing low morale, particularly following recent losses and the urgent need to adapt strategies and acquire modern equipment for ongoing conflicts. Without the requisite numbers to effectively cover vast ungoverned spaces which have become havens for bandits and insurgents and with limited support from the police, it is unsurprising that Nigeria faces a profound national security crisis.
The implications of this report are clear. A comprehensive and serious response from relevant authorities is urgently required to re-evaluate and restructure the deployment of security personnel. Prioritizing the safety and security of all citizens, rather than a select few, is paramount to restoring public trust and effectively addressing the pervasive insecurity plaguing the nation. The time for systemic reform and strategic reallocation of resources is now, to ensure that the NPF can fulfill its mandate and safeguard the lives and property of all Nigerians.
For decades, the sight of police personnel carrying files, umbrellas, and briefcases for their civilian principals, or even engaging in tasks far removed from law enforcement, has become disturbingly commonplace. This deviation from official terms of reference is not merely an operational oversight; it represents a fundamental betrayal of public trust and an institutional challenge that demands immediate and decisive action.
In a nation grappling with escalating crime rates, from the persistent threats of insurgency and widespread kidnapping to rampant banditry, the strategic misallocation of police manpower is particularly alarming. While communities live in fear and criminal elements operate with increasing impunity, a significant percentage of our trained officers and men are engaged in duties that serve private interests rather than the collective good. This prioritization of prominent citizens’ convenience over national security and public protection is unsustainable and deeply detrimental to the fabric of society.
The issue is not new, nor has it gone unaddressed by leadership. Shortly after assuming office, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun issued a clear directive to withdraw Police Mobile Force operatives from VIP duties. His intention was unambiguous: to reserve this tactical unit strictly for strategic national operations, where their specialized training and capabilities are critically needed to combat serious threats. This directive echoed similar pronouncements made by his predecessors, underscoring a consistent recognition of the problem at the highest levels of the police force.
However, the unfortunate reality is that such directives have, time and again, been observed in the breach. Despite official pronouncements, a substantial proportion of police manpower continues to be detailed for private security roles, effectively serving individuals rather than the state. This persistent non-compliance highlights a deep-seated systemic issue and a significant barrier to reforming the institution.
The consequences of this practice are far-reaching. It erodes public confidence in the police, fosters a perception of impunity for the powerful, and most critically, weakens the capacity of the force to fulfill its core responsibilities. A police force tasked with running errands cannot effectively combat insurgency, dismantle kidnapping rings, or protect ordinary citizens from banditry.
To restore the dignity, professionalism, and operational effectiveness of the police force, a comprehensive and sustained effort is required. This must go beyond directives and delve into fundamental reforms of accountability, resource allocation, and a re-emphasis on the core mission of public service. Our police officers are trained to protect and serve the nation, not to be personal attendants. Reclaiming their proper role is not just about institutional pride; it is about securing the safety and future of every citizen.
A persistent and widely acknowledged impediment to the NPF’s operational effectiveness is the deplorable state of its personnel welfare, with accommodation standing out as a particularly egregious concern. It is a historical irony that the NPF, being among the pioneering government institutions to relocate from Lagos to Abuja, was initially endowed with extensive landholdings across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). These vast tracts of land were intended to secure the future housing needs of its officers, fostering stability and morale.
However, a disturbing pattern has emerged over successive administrations. Reports indicate that various Inspectors General of Police have, under questionable circumstances, divested significant portions of these critical land assets. This short-sighted and detrimental practice has left thousands of police personnel without adequate housing, directly undermining their welfare and operational readiness. The repercussions are now acutely felt across the nation; in many of Nigeria’s 36 states, senior police officers are often found competing for limited barracks accommodation with their junior counterparts, with access frequently determined by personal connections rather than rank or need. One must question how an institution can expect its personnel to perform optimally when their basic living conditions are precarious and subject to such arbitrary influence.
Beyond the internal struggles of welfare, the NPF’s capacity to address the nation’s burgeoning security challenges is further hampered by an outdated approach to security duties, particularly concerning VIP protection. In a period marked by an alarming surge in criminal activity, where churches are targeted and educational institutions become sites of mass abduction, it is profoundly unconscionable that a substantial number of police personnel are effectively relegated to personal guard duties for prominent, and indeed not so prominent, citizens. This practice diverts critical manpower from core policing functions: crime prevention, investigation, and community protection.
Perhaps it is time for a fundamental re-evaluation of the extant Police Act, specifically regarding the provisions for VIP protection. An illustrative model can be found in South Africa, where the strategic outsourcing of non-essential protection duties to licensed private security firms has demonstrably freed thousands of police officers. This re-deployment has allowed these officers to concentrate on their primary mandate of maintaining law and order, engaging with communities, and actively combating crime.
Implementing a similar paradigm shift in Nigeria would not only alleviate the burden on the NPF but also professionalize the security landscape. It would enable police personnel to transition from acting as personal ‘Maiguards’ to fulfilling their crucial roles as guardians of public safety. Such a reform is not merely about efficiency; it is about restoring the dignity of the police force, empowering its officers to effectively address the dire security threats facing the nation, and ultimately, rebuilding public trust in an institution vital to Nigeria’s stability and progress. The time for decisive action and comprehensive reform is now.
