Pix: CG NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Audi

By Isiaka Mustapha, Chief Operating Officer/Editor-In-Chief, People’s Security Monitor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent directive transferring VIP protection duties from the Nigeria Police Force to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s security landscape. The decision comes against a backdrop of escalating kidnappings, banditry, targeted political attacks, and widespread insecurity across the country. For the NSCDC, this development presents both a formidable challenge and an extraordinary opportunity to further demonstrate its critical role in national security. Under the stewardship of Commandant General Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, the Corps is poised to assume responsibility for protecting political leaders, senior public officials, business executives, diplomats, and other high-risk individuals, a task that will test its operational, logistical, strategic, and ethical capabilities to the fullest.

The scale of the new mandate is substantial. Thousands of Nigerians now qualify for protection, including former and current officeholders, top judiciary members, senior technocrats, investors, and heads of strategic institutions. Historically, the Nigeria Police Force deployed a significant number of personnel to these assignments, diverting officers from other security priorities. The NSCDC will now face the operational burden of deploying personnel for 24-hour surveillance, escort missions over long and insecure routes, and proactive threat monitoring. VIP protection requires far more than stationing officers alongside individuals—it demands tactical expertise, counter-surveillance skills, mastery of firearms, defensive driving, rapid decision-making, and real-time risk assessment, all while maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards.

Logistical readiness will be another key test. VIP protection is equipment-intensive, necessitating armoured vehicles, ballistic vests, encrypted communications, surveillance gadgets, and evacuation tools. Teams must operate in well-coordinated units with advance, close protection, and backup personnel. While the NSCDC has significantly modernised its equipment and operational capabilities over the years, scaling up for nationwide VIP protection will require further investments in vehicles, intelligence systems, and communications infrastructure. Government support is therefore critical—without proper resources, even the most disciplined and professional officers could face serious operational challenges in high-risk environments.

Training and capacity development will be equally vital. VIP protection is a highly specialised security discipline. Officers must operate discreetly yet decisively, balancing protection with minimal disruption. The Corps has a solid foundation in discipline and integrity, evident from its successes in safeguarding pipelines, railways, schools, and other national assets, as well as its contributions to joint security operations. However, VIP protection demands advanced technical training, exposure to international best practices such as the U.S. Secret Service, South African Presidential Protection Service, and French Gendarmerie VIP protocols. With proper training, the NSCDC can elevate its operational standards, build global credibility, and set a benchmark for protective services in Nigeria.

Psychological pressure is another factor. VIPs are highly visible figures, and any attack can have political, economic, and diplomatic ramifications. Officers must therefore operate under intense scrutiny, and the Corps must implement wellness programs, counselling, and rotational schedules to prevent fatigue. Missteps in VIP protection can be fatal; maintaining vigilance, discipline, and professionalism at all times is critical. Here, the leadership of Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi is invaluable. Revered for his uncompromising ethics, operational expertise, and strategic foresight, Professor Audi has transformed the NSCDC into a world-class paramilitary organisation capable of handling complex assignments, including VIP protection. His leadership ensures that the Corps approaches this new responsibility with the highest levels of integrity, accountability, and operational efficiency.

The expanded role offers the NSCDC a historic opportunity. It positions the Corps at the forefront of Nigeria’s national security architecture, affirming its versatility across diverse sectors—pipeline and infrastructure protection, anti-vandalism operations, school security, disaster response, border patrol, maritime security, and mining regulation. Successfully managing VIP protection will enhance the Corps’ credibility, strengthen public confidence, and reinforce its strategic relevance. However, the NSCDC must avoid any abuse of this responsibility. Maintaining professionalism, operational discipline, and ethical conduct is non-negotiable. Misconduct, exploitation of VIP proximity, or the rise of patronage networks could undermine years of reputation-building and compromise national security.

Government support remains central to the success of this policy. Adequate funding, state-of-the-art equipment, welfare provisions, life insurance, hazard allowances, and continuous training will ensure that officers are well-prepared to manage the heightened responsibilities. The initiative cannot succeed solely on the professionalism of the Corps—it requires sustained investment and institutional backing to achieve measurable results.

President Tinubu’s decision also highlights strategic foresight. Relieving the Police of VIP duties allows them to return to their core mandate of crime prevention, law enforcement, and community security, addressing manpower shortages and enabling faster response to criminal incidents. Nigeria’s Police Force has long been overstretched, and redeploying officers from VIP protection to public safety functions will enhance intelligence gathering, restore operational visibility, and rebuild public confidence.

In essence, the NSCDC is at a turning point. The expanded VIP protection mandate challenges the Corps to enhance operational standards, broaden capacities, and reinforce its long-standing reputation for professionalism. Under the ethical and visionary guidance of Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, the Corps is not only capable of managing this responsibility but is well-positioned to redefine the standards of VIP security in Nigeria. This is a moment for the Corps to prove its enduring relevance, demonstrate excellence in execution, and solidify its status as an indispensable pillar of national security.

Finally, President Tinubu deserves commendation for making a policy decision that strengthens the overall security architecture. By empowering the NSCDC to assume VIP protection, he has ensured that both the Police and Civil Defence Corps can operate at optimal capacity within their respective mandates. This strategic realignment promises better coordination, improved efficiency, and a more resilient security system capable of responding to Nigeria’s evolving threats. With disciplined officers, robust government support, and the steady guidance of CG Audi, Nigeria is witnessing a security transition that could serve as a model for effective national security management.