Former Department of State Services (DSS) Director, Mike Ejiofor, has cautioned that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is ill-prepared to assume responsibility for protecting high-profile individuals, despite President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive transferring VIP escort duties away from the police.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Ejiofor argued that the NSCDC’s talent pool, training background, and statutory functions do not align with the specialised needs of VIP security operations.
According to him, the corps “does not possess the numbers or expertise required to safeguard high-risk individuals,” emphasising that its primary mandate remains the protection of national infrastructure.
He warned that unless the NSCDC undergoes a substantial overhaul — including intensive training and an expansion of personnel — the directive could create gaps in national security.
Ejiofor also cast doubt on the police’s announcement that 11,566 officers had been withdrawn from VIP duty.
He referenced claims from other oversight bodies suggesting that the actual figure may be far higher, with some estimates placing the number of police personnel attached to individuals at over 100,000.
“How did we arrive at 11,000 when earlier assessments show far more officers were tied down by private protection assignments?” he asked.
He further questioned how the police intend to enforce the Inspector-General’s order to arrest officers who refuse to disengage from VIPs.
“Will armed officers resisting withdrawal be confronted? Who carries out such arrests?” he queried, warning that the directive could place additional stress on an already strained security system.
The concerns come days after President Tinubu ordered the immediate removal of police protection from VIPs, directing individuals seeking official escorts to instead approach the NSCDC.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the aim is to redirect police resources toward combating widespread insecurity, particularly in rural areas where police presence remains thin.
Alongside the withdrawal, the President declared a national security emergency, authorising the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers.
New recruits and officers returning from VIP assignments are expected to undergo accelerated training at upgraded facilities and designated NYSC camps before deployment to volatile regions.
Ejiofor acknowledged the intent behind the reforms but maintained that the implementation strategy requires careful planning to avoid unintended consequences.
