The Iaction of the nspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun to approved the continued deployment of police officers to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seems to have contradicts President Bola Tinubu’s directive ordering the withdrawal of police security personnel from Very Important Persons (VIPs) and government officials.
The approval was conveyed in a letter dated January 8, 2026, with reference number CB:2032/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.5/45, signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP, CP Lateef Adio Ahmed. The letter was titled, “Appeal for Exemption from Order to Withdraw Police Security Personnel Attached to VIPs.” According to the correspondence, the IGP granted the exemption following INEC’s appeal dated December 11, 2025.
A documents shared online by SaharaReporters on Wednesday show that the approval covers all National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners, the Acting Director-General of the Electoral Institute, as well as INEC directors nationwide.
“I have the honour to extend the warm compliments of the Inspector-General of Police and acknowledge receipt of your letter… dated 11th December 2025 on the above underlined subject,” the letter read. “I am to notify you that the Inspector-General of Police has graciously approved the request contained in the letter under reference. “Accept the assurances of the esteemed regards of the Inspector-General of Police, please.”
