Human rights advocate Deji Adeyanju has rejected claims by Ovation Magazine publisher Dele Momodu, who suggested that the removal of police escorts from some VIPs was politically driven.
Adeyanju said it was wrong for politicians and wealthy individuals to feel entitled to police protection while many Nigerians live with daily security threats. He explained that the police should focus on keeping the country safe instead of being used as personal security staff by influential people.
“Atiku and all other so-called VIPs should go and get civil defence to protect them,” Adeyanju said. “The police should be allowed to police the nation, not follow Atiku and others up and down on errands.”
He added that the decision to reduce police attachment to private individuals was overdue. According to him, the long-standing practice has weakened national security and reduced the number of officers available for community policing.
Adeyanju’s reaction has renewed discussions about the culture of VIP privilege within Nigeria’s security system.