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 officers to key officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Documents obtained reveal that the approval covers all National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), the Acting Director-General of INEC’s Training Institute (Electoral Institute), as well as Directors of the Commission across the country.
The approval was formally communicated in a letter dated January 8, 2026, with reference number CB:2032/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.5/45. The letter was signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP, CP Lateef Adio Ahmed, and titled “Appeal for Exemption from Order to Withdraw Police Security Personnel Attached to VIPs.”
According to the letter, the IGP granted INEC’s request following an appeal submitted by the Commission on December 11, 2025. The correspondence confirmed that the Inspector-General had “graciously approved” the request and extended his official regards to the Commission.
President Tinubu had earlier directed the Nigeria Police Force to withdraw officers attached to VIPs and government officials, a move aimed at reducing the misuse of police personnel and strengthening security at the grassroots. The directive was widely interpreted as a blanket policy, with only a few constitutionally recognised offices expected to enjoy exemptions.
However, the latest approval by the IGP shows that INEC officials have now been formally exempted from the directive.
INEC also 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 had appealed for the exemption due to the sensitive nature of INEC’s constitutional responsibilities, especially election management.
According to her, the request was also informed by the history of attacks on electoral officials and INEC facilities across various parts of the country. She confirmed that the appeal was successful and that the IGP had approved the continued deployment of police security personnel to INEC officials nationwide.
This development comes against the backdrop of earlier statements by IGP Egbetokun, who, on November 27, 2025, described the withdrawal of police personnel from VIPs as a deliberate strategy to boost frontline policing and protect vulnerable communities.
At the time, the IGP disclosed that a total of 11,566 police officers had been withdrawn from VIP protection and redeployed to critical security duties, including rural and township policing, intelligence-led operations, proactive patrols, and rapid response to emerging threats.
While the policy was presented as a non-political effort to refocus policing on public safety, the exemption granted to INEC officials highlights the balancing act between reducing elite protection and safeguarding institutions considered critical to Nigeria’s democracy.
