The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is grappling with manpower gap as it prepares to take on an expanded role in Very Important Persons (VIPs) protection following the withdrawal of 11,566 police officers from escort duties, The PUNCH has learnt.

Senior officials of the corps confirmed that the agency is under pressure to meet the new demand, despite having a specialised VIP Protection Unit.

An insider told our correspondent that the NSCDC had begun reviewing its internal structure to determine how it could absorb the surge in VIP security responsibilities.

“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,” the official said.

Another officer, conversant with the corps’ tactics, acknowledged the strain on the agency’s workforce, noting that personnel shortages remained a key concern.

“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,” he said.

The pressure on the NSCDC follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the withdrawal of police officers attached to VIPs, a decision aimed at redeploying personnel to communities struggling with rising insecurity.

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, who announced the recall on Thursday, insisted the move was not politically motivated.

According to him, the recall of police from VIP duties was neither punitive nor political, but intended to refocus policing on communities ravaged by crime.

He cited recent spikes in kidnappings in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger states as justification for redirecting officers to high-risk areas rather than VIP protection.

Egbetokun also warned that the transition period must be carefully supervised to prevent criminals from impersonating law enforcement officers.

As security agencies adjust to the shift, private security practitioners have intensified calls for reforms to Nigeria’s private security legislation.

The Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria stated that the withdrawal of police from VIP duties highlighted the urgency of updating the 38-year-old Private Guard Companies Act.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, the Chairman of the association’s Interim Caretaker Management Committee, Maj. Gen. Elvis Njoku (retd.), said the law was outdated and ill-suited to modern security threats.

“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,” he said. (The PUNCH)