In a startling revelation, the European Union Agency for Asylum has reported that more than 100,000 Nigerian police officers are currently deployed to protect politicians and other Very Important Persons (VIPs), raising serious concerns about the nation’s ability to provide adequate security for its general population The Punch.
The report, published in November 2025, highlights that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has an estimated strength of 371,800 officers, serving a population of approximately 236.7 million people. This translates to a ratio of roughly one officer for every 637 citizens, already below global standards. However, the diversion of nearly one-third of the force to VIP protection further worsens the country’s policing deficit The Punch.
According to the EU report, this trend has persisted for years, with sources dating back to 2007 indicating a consistent pattern of disproportionate allocation of police personnel. The report emphasizes that this practice undermines community policing, crime prevention, and public safety, especially in regions plagued by banditry, kidnappings, and terrorist activities.
Additional investigations by Nigerian media outlets corroborate the EU’s findings. A report by BarristerNG estimates that the Federal Government spends at least ₦131 billion annually on salaries for police officers designated as VIP escorts BarristerNG.com. Meanwhile, Politics Nigeria and other sources suggest that the number of officers assigned to VIPs may be even higher, reaching 150,000, including those attached to unauthorized individuals Politics Nigeria Latest Nigerian News.
Critics argue that this misallocation reflects systemic issues within Nigeria’s security architecture, where political elites enjoy disproportionate protection while ordinary citizens face escalating threats with minimal support. Calls for reform have intensified, urging the Police Service Commission and the Ministry of Police Affairs to re-evaluate deployment strategies and prioritize public safety.
