The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is reportedly grappling with a manpower shortage as it prepares to assume an expanded role in Very Important Person (VIP) protection.
Naijaonpoint reports that the new responsibility follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to withdraw 11,566 police officers from escort duties and redeploy them to communities facing escalating security challenges.
Senior officials within the NSCDC told The PUNCH that the agency is under immense pressure to meet this new demand, despite having a specialized VIP Protection Unit in place.
An NSCDC insider revealed that the corps has commenced an internal review to determine how best to absorb the surge in VIP security responsibilities:
“We are trying to come up with a policy document. Before now, in addition to our mandate of safeguarding critical national assets and infrastructure across the nation, we also had the NSCDC VIP Unit, which has undergone rigorous training,” the source said.
However, another officer acknowledged the strain on the current workforce, noting that personnel shortages remain a key concern, even with a total dedicated strength of over 63,000 personnel across the country.
“It is public knowledge that the corps currently boasts a dedicated strength of over 63,000 personnel across the country.
“While this significant number forms a strong base, the leadership recognises that the new and critical tasks require a proportionate increase in specialised manpower,” he said.
The police withdrawal, announced by Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, is intended to refocus policing on communities ravaged by crime.
Egbetokun insisted the move was not politically motivated but cited the recent spikes in kidnappings in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger states as justification for redirecting officers from VIP protection to high-risk areas.
The IGP also warned that the transition period must be carefully supervised to prevent criminals from impersonating law enforcement officers.
Meanwhile, as the NSCDC prepares for its expanded role, private security practitioners are intensifying calls for legislative reform.
The Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), through its Chairman of the Interim Caretaker Management Committee, Maj. Gen. Elvis Njoku (retd.), stated that the police withdrawal highlights the urgency of updating the 38-year-old Private Guard Companies Act (1986).
He said: “We are pushing for amendments to the Private Guard Companies Act to incorporate modern security paradigms, such as data protection and environmental security.
“Our united front will make these demands irresistible, benefiting not just our members but the entire nation.”
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