Removing Police from VIP escorts key to tackling crime, Pastor Schugger insists

By Collins Nkwocha

Senior Pastor of Grace Revolution International Ministry, Lagos, Pastor Schugger Ezenwa Onyeukwu (PhD), has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ordering the withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos on Monday, Pastor Schugger described the directive as a necessary and strategic step toward addressing the growing security challenges in Nigeria.

He argued that strengthening internal security requires redeploying police officers currently assigned to VIP protection.

“Our internal security is in jeopardy, and that simply means the police are failing in their primary responsibility,” he said.

“We cannot have police officers guarding VIPs when the nation urgently needs personnel to tackle security issues. VIP attachment has become an avenue for self-aggrandizement, a show of power and class. The officers attached to them truly need to be withdrawn so we can see how they can help ameliorate the security tension in the country if given national assignments.”

Pastor Schugger emphasized that rural communities—which often face persistent attacks—lack adequate policing, making them vulnerable to criminal activities.

“Have you ever travelled to our rural areas? There is little or no police presence,” he noted.

“Even the communities with police stations do not have enough personnel.

How can they effectively combat crime?
The police are truly short of manpower, so it is important to deploy more officers to rural areas where these attacks are frequent and persistent.”

He maintained that President Tinubu’s directive serves the collective interest of Nigeria, stressing that the focus should shift from urban centres to rural communities that remain hotspots for insecurity.

“The president gave a sound directive—it is for the good of the entire nation,” the cleric stated.

“Urban areas may be relatively safer, but the rural areas are the real targets of these attacks. Strengthening security there is critical.”

Pastor Schugger urged the government and security agencies to ensure that the redeployed officers are properly equipped and strategically posted to high-risk communities to maximize the impact of the new policy.