The Nigeria Police Force has initiated a formal investigation following the emergence of a viral video that captured armed police operatives providing security escorts to prominent businessman Linus Williams, widely known as Blord, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.
The Force Public Relations Officer characterized the deployment of the armed personnel as unlawful and confirmed that an official inquiry is already underway regarding the incident. The official made this position known via a statement shared on social media on Wednesday in response to the circulating footage.
The controversial video, initially published on the entrepreneur's Instagram platform on Tuesday, documented his arrival at the airport in Enugu. In the footage, he was seen moving alongside tactical-gear-clad police officers dressed in camouflage uniforms. The businessman donned a red-and-white striped traditional cap famously linked to the political movement of Rabiu Kwankwaso, and traveled in a black Cadillac featuring personalized registration plates bearing the inscription "B-LORD."
Additional segments of the recording depicted the security personnel clearing his path at the airport and opening vehicle doors at subsequent stops, including locations identified as his enterprise offices. Accompanying the post, the businessman expressed satisfaction about returning to his base of operations, highlighting stops in Enugu and Awka.
What are the broader security directives regarding VIP escorts?
This controversy follows a directive issued by President Bola Tinubu mandating the withdrawal of police personnel attached to Very Important Persons nationwide to redirect them toward core security and community policing duties. The directive was announced following a high-level security session held in Abuja.
Under the policy guidelines, individuals requiring official protection are expected to utilize armed operatives from alternative security frameworks rather than regular police officers, a measure designed to bolster personnel presence across vulnerable communities. Enforcement teams were subsequently established to monitor adherence to these guidelines across major commercial centers, including Lagos, as part of ongoing efforts to curb unauthorized police deployments.