An open letter to Inspector General of Police

With due respect to your esteemed office and in recognition of the noble role of the Nigeria Police Force in maintaining law, order, and the protection of citizens, I write to humbly request a review and reduction of the number of police officers currently assigned to elected officials and political appointees across the country. Sir, […]

With due respect to your esteemed office and in recognition of the noble role of the Nigeria Police Force in maintaining law, order, and the protection of citizens, I write to humbly request a review and reduction of the number of police officers currently assigned to elected officials and political appointees across the country.

Sir, a report published this month (November 2025) by the European Union Agency for Asylum notes that the Nigeria Police Force has an estimated strength of 371,800 officers serving a population of about 236.7 million. The report reveals that more than 100,000 officers are presently deployed to protect politicians and other Very Important Persons, raising concerns that ordinary citizens are left underprotected.

As you are aware, assigning police officers to private individuals and political officeholders has long been a concern. In June 2023, shortly after taking office, you ordered the withdrawal of Police Mobile Force operatives from VIP duties, stating that the tactical unit would be reserved strictly for strategic national operations. Your office issued another directive in April 2025, ordering a nationwide withdrawal of mobile police officers attached to VIPs. Despite these directives, a significant portion of police manpower continues to be used for VIP protection.

In a video posted on the Nigeria Police Force’s official X account in September, you warned officers against intervening in civil disputes or serving private interests.

Nevertheless, officers continue to escort parties for land recovery. A recent example is the clash involving the FCT Minister and Lieutenant AM Yerima in Gaduwa, reportedly stemming from a disagreement over documentation related to a property development.

Given the security challenges confronting Nigeria today, it is both logical and patriotic to ensure that police manpower is deployed where it is most needed—in communities, public spaces, patrol duties, and crimeprevention initiatives—rather than being concentrated around a single officeholder. Reducing the number of officers attached to ministers and other officials will enhance discipline, restore public confidence in the Force, and reaffirm that the Nigeria Police serves the nation and its people, not individual political appointees.

Accordingly, I respectfully request that your office:

Review and reduce the number of police officers assigned to ministers, elected officials, appointees, and private individuals who can afford security services. Ensure that all political appointees receive only the standard, legally prescribed level of protection.

Reassign surplus personnel to publicsecurity duties within the country and to areas where security presence is urgently needed. Investigate the conduct of the police officers involved in the Gaduwa incident to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences.

Ensuring that all other directives issued from your office are enforced would greatly assist the police force in maintaining internal security. Taking these actions will demonstrate your leadership’s commitment to fairness, accountability, and the prioritization of citizens’ safety over political privilege.

I trust in your wisdom, patriotism, and sense of justice to act in the best interest of the Nigerian people and to protect the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force.

 

 Abba Dukawa can be reached via [email protected]