Despite Tinubu’s Order, IGP Approves Police Escorts for INEC Commissioners, RECs, Directors
Despite President Bola Tinubu’s directive ordering the withdrawal of police security personnel from VIPs and government officials, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has approved the continued deployment of police escorts to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Documents sighted show that the approval covers all National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), the Acting Director-General of the Electoral Institute, and Directors of the Commission 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, Commissioner of Police Lateef Adio Ahmed. The letter was titled “Appeal for Exemption from Order to Withdraw Police Security Personnel Attached to VIPs.”
According to the letter, the approval followed an appeal by INEC dated December 11, 2025.
“I am to notify you that the Inspector-General of Police has graciously approved the request contained in the letter under reference,” the letter stated.
President Tinubu had earlier directed the Nigeria Police Force to withdraw police personnel attached to VIPs and government officials as part of efforts to curb the misuse of security personnel and strengthen grassroots policing. The directive was widely understood to apply broadly, with limited exemptions for constitutionally designated offices.
However, the IGP’s latest approval indicates that INEC officials have been formally exempted from the directive.
INEC confirmed the development in a statement issued on January 19, 2026, and signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Dr. Rose Oriaran-Anthony. She explained that the Commission appealed for the exemption due to the sensitive nature of its constitutional responsibilities, particularly election management, and the history of attacks on electoral officials and INEC facilities nationwide.
“The request was based on the sensitive nature of the Commission’s activities as well as past records of attacks on the officials and the Commission’s facilities,” the statement said.
Dr. Oriaran-Anthony confirmed that the appeal was successful, adding that the Commission had received official communication conveying the IGP’s approval.
It will be recalled that on November 27, 2025, IGP Egbetokun explained that the withdrawal of police personnel from VIP protection was a deliberate strategy aimed at boosting frontline policing and improving security in vulnerable communities.
Speaking at a meeting with senior police commanders in Abuja, the IGP disclosed that a total of 11,566 police personnel had been withdrawn from VIP duties and redeployed to critical policing operations, including township and rural security, intelligence-led patrols, and rapid response duties.
“The withdrawal is not a retreat from responsibility, but a reclamation of it,” Egbetokun had said, stressing that the directive was intended to enhance public safety nationwide.
