ADVICE TO MR. PRESIDENT: EXPERT URGES 90-DAY GRACE PERIOD TO TRAIN PRIVATE ARMED SECURITY BEFORE WITHDRAWING POLICE VIP ESCORTS

By Dr. John Egbo, Retired USA-Trained Deputy Sheriff

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A retired United States–trained Deputy Sheriff, Dr. John Egbo, has cautioned that withdrawing Police VIP Escorts from political leaders, business executives, and other high-risk individuals in Nigeria without a clear transition plan could create new security challenges while trying to solve existing ones.

Dr. Egbo, in a detailed advisory to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, argued that the directive should be delayed for at least 90 days. According to him, this grace period would allow the Federal Government to fast-track the training, certification, and licensing of armed private security personnel who can professionally take over escort and protection duties for private citizens.

He noted that this model aligns with security practices in developed countries such as the United States—where President Tinubu previously resided—where private security firms, not state police, provide protective services to private individuals requiring them.

Dr. Egbo also warned that giving the President exclusive powers to decide who qualifies for Police VIP Escort could be misinterpreted as political favoritism or even political witch-hunt, especially in Nigeria’s politically sensitive environment. He stressed the need for a transparent, rules-based procedure to avoid such perceptions and to maintain public trust.

Additionally, he advised that VIP Police Escorts be standardized to one or two officers per principal. This, he said, would reduce excessive deployment and improve operational efficiency. Beyond escort duties, he emphasized that these officers contribute significantly to public safety, as their movements effectively serve as mobile patrols, particularly in areas lacking established police divisions.

With the Christmas season approaching—a period traditionally marked by heavy travel and elevated security threats—Dr. Egbo argued that exposing VIPs to unnecessary vulnerability runs contrary to the core mandate of policing: the protection of life and property.

He further stressed that the President already carries the burden of national governance and should not be directly involved in determining who receives VIP Police protection. Instead, he proposed a structured policy framework grounded in clear criteria, strengthened integration of private security services, and regulated police participation as a more sustainable and credible response to Nigeria’s complex security realities.