DSS officers seek VIP escort roles after police withdrawal
Following President Bola Tinubu's directive to withdraw police escorts from VIPs, officers from the Department of State Services (DSS) are now lobbying to fill those roles. The move, announced on November 24, 2024, has led to a surge in demand for private and alternative security arrangements. Security firms report unprecedented requests from VIPs, while DSS officers approach influential Nigerians for deployment. The Senate and security experts have weighed in on the implications for national security.
What we know
- President Bola Tinubu ordered the withdrawal of police escorts from VIPs on November 24, 2024, shifting VIP protection duties to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
- Over 11,500 police personnel were redeployed from VIP duties, prompting a rush for alternative security arrangements.
- DSS officers, particularly those of lower cadre, are lobbying VIPs to request their deployment as personal security details.
- Private security companies have seen a dramatic spike in requests for escorts, despite their inability to carry firearms.
- The Senate clarified there are no plans to seek special protection for lawmakers, advising individual senators to follow the new procedures.
