The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of mobile police officers from Very Important Persons (VIPs), saying the original purpose of the unit has been lost.
Speaking in Abuja during an emergency meeting with MOPOL commanders, the IGP expressed concern over what he called misuse of the elite unit. “They were meant for tactical emergencies, not to serve as bodyguards,” he said.
This move comes after public backlash over a viral video showing a Chinese national handing money to officers, which the IGP described as shameful. He confirmed that those involved have been disciplined.
He directed all mobile police squadrons to now maintain fully equipped standby teams for emergencies, while also undergoing regular training in ethics and professionalism.
A security analyst, Okasanmi Ajayi, welcomed the move but called for stronger regulation of private security to ease pressure on the police.
