The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has approved the continued deployment of police officers to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Naijaonpoint reports that the IGP’s action contradicts President Bola Tinubu’s directive ordering the withdrawal of police security personnel from Very Important Persons (VIPs) and government officials.
Documents shared online by SaharaReporters on Wednesday morning show that the approval covers all National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners, the Acting Director-General of the Electoral Institute, as well as INEC directors nationwide.
The approval was conveyed in a letter dated January 8, 2026, with reference number CB:2032/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.5/45, signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP, CP Lateef Adio Ahmed.
The letter was titled, “Appeal for Exemption from Order to Withdraw Police Security Personnel Attached to VIPs.”
According to the correspondence, the IGP granted the exemption following INEC’s appeal dated December 11, 2025.
“I have the honour to extend the warm compliments of the Inspector-General of Police and acknowledge receipt of your letter… dated 11th December 2025 on the above underlined subject,” the letter read.
“I am to notify you that the Inspector-General of Police has graciously approved the request contained in the letter under reference.
“Accept the assurances of the esteemed regards of the Inspector-General of Police, please.”
See a copy of the letter below.
Naijaonpoint reports that President Tinubu had earlier directed the Nigeria Police Force to withdraw officers attached to VIPs and government officials as part of efforts to curb the misuse of security personnel and strengthen policing at the grassroots.
The directive was widely interpreted as applying across board, with only limited exemptions for constitutionally designated offices.
However, the latest approval by the IGP indicates that INEC officials have now been formally exempted from the directive.
INEC Confirms Approval
INEC confirmed the development in a statement issued on January 19, 2026, signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.
According to the statement, the Commission had formally written to the IGP on December 11, 2025, appealing for an exemption from the withdrawal order.
She explained that the appeal was based on the sensitive nature of INEC’s constitutional responsibilities, particularly election management, as well as the history of attacks on electoral officials and facilities.
“The Commission had in a letter dated 11th December 2025 appealed to the Inspector General of Police to exempt the Commission from order to withdraw Police security personnel attached to VIPs,” the statement read.
“The request was based on the sensitive nature of the Commission’s activities as well as past records of attacks on the officials as well as Commission’s facilities.”
Oriaran-Anthony confirmed that the appeal was successful, saying the Commission had received formal communication from the police authorities.
“Consequent upon the above, I am pleased to inform you that the Inspector General of Police has graciously approved the request. Find attached a copy of the letter conveying the approval for your information and records,” she stated.
“Please accept the assurances of the Commission’s warm regards always.”
IGP Earlier Justified Withdrawal Of VIP Escorts
On November 27, 2025, the IGP had explained that the withdrawal of police personnel from VIP protection was a deliberate security strategy approved by President Tinubu to strengthen frontline policing and protect vulnerable communities.
Speaking during a meeting with senior police commanders in Abuja, Egbetokun said the move was designed to redirect manpower to critical areas where public safety needs were most urgent.
“In line with the President’s directive, we have withdrawn a total of 11,566 personnel from VIP protection. These officers are being redeployed to critical policing duties immediately,” he said.
The police boss stressed that the directive was neither political nor sentimental but rooted in the core mandate of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to him, the redeployment would boost township and rural security, intelligence-led operations, proactive patrols and rapid response to emerging threats nationwide.
“The withdrawal is not a retreat from responsibility, but a reclamation of it,” Egbetokun said.
He added that the process would be carefully managed to prevent impersonation, misinformation or abuse of the directive by criminal elements, assuring that detailed operational guidelines would be issued.