Inspector-General Egbetokun Flouts Tinubu’s Order, Approves Police Escorts For INEC Commissioners, RECs, Directors
IGP Exempts INEC Officials From Tinubu’s Order Withdrawing Police From VIPs — Documents
January 21, 2026 | News
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 officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Documents obtained by SaharaReporters show that the approval covers all National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), Directors of the Commission nationwide, and the Acting Director-General of INEC’s Electoral Institute.
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 Inspector-General of Police, CP Lateef Adio Ahmed.
The letter, titled “Appeal for Exemption from Order to Withdraw Police Security Personnel Attached to VIPs,” followed INEC’s formal request dated December 11, 2025.
“I have the honour to extend the warm compliments of the Inspector-General of Police and acknowledge receipt of your letter INEC/LEG/DR/283/T/34 dated 11th December 2025 on the above underlined subject,” the letter stated.
“I am to notify you that the Inspector-General of Police has graciously approved the request contained in the letter under reference.
“Accept the assurances of the esteemed regards of the Inspector-General of Police, please.”
President Tinubu had earlier directed the Nigeria Police Force to withdraw officers attached to VIPs and government officials as part of efforts to curb the misuse of police personnel and strengthen community-level policing.
The directive was widely interpreted as applying across board, with limited exemptions for constitutionally designated offices.
However, the IGP’s latest approval confirms that INEC officials have been formally exempted from the directive.
INEC confirmed the development in a statement issued on January 19, 2026, signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Dr. Rose Oriaran-Anthony.
According to the statement, INEC wrote to the IGP on December 11, 2025, requesting an exemption due to the sensitive nature of the Commission’s constitutional responsibilities, particularly election management.
Dr. Oriaran-Anthony also cited the history of attacks on INEC officials and facilities across the country as justification for the request.
“The Commission had in a letter dated 11th December 2025 appealed to the Inspector General of Police to exempt the Commission from order to withdraw Police security personnel attached to VIPs,” the statement read.
“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.”
She confirmed that the appeal was successful.
“Consequent upon the above, I am pleased to inform you that the Inspector General of Police has graciously approved the request. Find attached a copy of the letter conveying the approval for your information and records,” she said.
On November 27, 2025, SaharaReporters had reported that Egbetokun described the withdrawal of police personnel from VIPs as a deliberate security strategy aimed at strengthening frontline policing nationwide.
Speaking at a meeting with senior police commanders in Abuja, the IGP said the directive was intended to redirect manpower to areas where public safety needs were most urgent.
“In line with the President’s directive, we have withdrawn a total of 11,566 personnel from VIP protection. These officers are being redeployed to critical policing duties immediately,” Egbetokun said.
He added that the move would enhance township and rural security, intelligence-driven operations, proactive patrols, and rapid response to emerging threats, stressing that the withdrawal was neither political nor sentimental.
“The withdrawal is not a retreat from responsibility, but a reclamation of it,” he said.