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Manpower shortfall may delay NSCDC’s VIP protection rollout
NSCDC Faces Manpower Pressure Amid Expanded VIP Security Role | www.cjsoftflix.com
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is currently facing a significant manpower challenge as it prepares to take on a larger role in VIP protection following the withdrawal of 11,566 police officers from escort duties, The PUNCH has reported.
Senior officials confirmed that despite having a specialised VIP Protection Unit, the corps is under pressure to meet the new demand. The NSCDC has begun reviewing its internal structure to determine how best to absorb the surge in VIP security responsibilities.
An insider explained, “We are trying to come up with a policy document. Before now, in addition to our mandate of safeguarding critical national assets and infrastructure across the nation, we also had the NSCDC VIP Unit, which has undergone rigorous training. Having gone through a series of training and retraining exercises, there are indications that they will do well.”
Manpower Shortages Remain a Concern
Another officer familiar with the corps’ operations acknowledged the workforce strain, noting that personnel shortages are a key concern.
He said, “It is public knowledge that the corps currently boasts a dedicated strength of over 63,000 personnel across the country. While this significant number forms a strong base, the leadership recognises that the new and critical tasks require a proportionate increase in specialised manpower.”
Context: Police Withdrawal from VIP Duties
The pressure on the NSCDC follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval to withdraw police officers attached to VIPs, with the intent of redeploying them to communities experiencing rising insecurity.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun clarified that the recall was neither politically motivated nor punitive. He emphasized that the move aimed to redirect police resources to areas affected by rising kidnappings, including Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger states. Egbetokun also stressed that the transition period must be carefully monitored to prevent criminals from exploiting the change by impersonating law enforcement officers.
Calls for Private Security Reform
As security agencies adapt to this shift, private security practitioners have intensified demands for reforms to Nigeria’s private security legislation.
The Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria highlighted that the withdrawal of police from VIP duties underscores the need to modernize the 38-year-old Private Guard Companies Act.
Maj. Gen. Elvis Njoku (retd.), Chairman of the association’s Interim Caretaker Management Committee, told journalists, “We are pushing for amendments to the Private Guard Companies Act to incorporate modern security paradigms, such as data protection and environmental security. Our united front will make these demands irresistible, benefiting not just our members but the entire nation.”
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