The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps is currently grappling with a manpower gap as it prepares to take on a much larger role in protecting Very Important Persons. This follows the withdrawal of 11,566 police officers from escort duties.
Senior NSCDC officials confirmed that the corps is under pressure to meet the new demand, even though it already has a specialised VIP Protection Unit.
According to an insider, the agency has begun reviewing its internal structure to determine how best to handle the sudden increase in responsibility.
“We are working on a policy document. Before now, aside from our mandate of safeguarding critical national assets and infrastructure nationwide, we also had the NSCDC VIP Unit, which has received extensive training.
“With all the training and retraining they’ve undergone, we believe they are capable,” the official said.
Another officer familiar with the corps’ internal operations also admitted that the agency is strained, pointing out that personnel shortages remain a major concern.
He explained that although the corps has over 63,000 personnel across the country, the new responsibilities require a significant increase in specialised manpower.
The pressure on the NSCDC stems from President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the withdrawal of police officers attached to VIPs. The aim is to redeploy more officers to communities struggling with rising insecurity.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, who announced the recall, stressed that the decision was not political. He explained that the move was designed to strengthen policing in areas affected by high levels of crime, especially with recent increases in kidnappings in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger States.
He also warned that the transition must be monitored carefully to prevent criminals from impersonating security personnel.
As security agencies adjust to the changes, private security experts are renewing calls for reforms to Nigeria’s outdated private security laws.
The Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria noted that the withdrawal of police from VIP duties shows the urgent need to update the 38-year-old Private Guard Companies Act.
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Speaking to journalists, the Chairman of the association’s Interim Caretaker Management Committee, Maj. Gen. Elvis Njoku (retd.), said the current law no longer reflects modern security realities.
“We are advocating amendments to the Private Guard Companies Act to include modern security needs like data protection and environmental security.
“Our united effort will make these demands impossible to ignore, benefiting not just our members but the entire country,” he said.
