EU Report: Over 100,000 Nigerian Police Officers Diverted to VIP Protection, Leaving Communities Vulnerable”
Story: written by Uzuh Rita November 11,2025
A new European Union report reveals that more than 100,000 officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) are assigned to protect politicians and other VIPs, rather than serving the general public. The report, published in November 2025, estimates the NPF’s total strength at around 371,800 officers for a population of roughly 236.7 million.
According to the report, this diversion of personnel has worsened policing gaps, leaving many communities without adequate protection and slowing emergency response times. Corruption and limited resources further exacerbate the problem, resulting in weak law enforcement and accountability.
The EU agency also highlighted instances of police misconduct, including arbitrary arrests, extortion, and excessive use of force, citing weak oversight mechanisms as a key contributor.
Despite previous directives from Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun in 2023 and 2025 to withdraw police officers from VIP duties, the report shows that a significant number of officers remain deployed to elite protection, rather than focusing on crime prevention and community policing.
