Despite the sweeping directive ordering police officers to cease providing security for VIPs, several insiders have revealed that many officers have quietly resumed their duties for prominent individuals.
Speaking to Punch, a source who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter confirmed that some officers have already returned to their VIP assignments.
“Those on VIP duties are returning. I saw some of them today. In my office, two of them are back. This time around, I think the directive will be effective with what I have seen on the ground,” the source disclosed.
Another police official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, further explained that officers are gradually being reassigned to their previous roles. However, the specifics of the VIPs they were withdrawn from remain unclear.
“Officers are being reassigned to their previous duties gradually. I don’t know the VIPs they were withdrawn from, but our colleagues are returning,” the official said.
The Punch learned that several political figures, including former SDP presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo and suspended PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, were among the VIPs whose police escorts were abruptly recalled.
During a high-profile meeting in the Central Business District on Thursday morning, Prince Adebayo was flanked by personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and armed private guards dressed in black.
It would be recalled that President Tinubu had directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons across the country, in a major shake-up of security deployment.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the directive formed part of resolutions reached during the President’s high-level security meeting with Service Chiefs in Abuja.
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