As political campaigns and the 2023 general elections draw near in the face of festering insecurity in most parts of the country, the police have confirmed that there is a surge in the request for protection by politicians.

With campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections commencing on September 28 and the general elections starting on February 25, the police noted that more applications were being received and more still were being expected, but pointed out that not every application would be granted.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi explained that certain persons were by virtue of their statuses and personalities entitled to police protection, but that despite the spike in the requests, the police would consider each application on its merit and continuously work towards general security for public safety.

There have been public anxieties and apprehension over the rising kidnapping for ransom and killings in different parts of the country, fuelling the demand for special police protection by politicians and the elite. In the ensuing insecurity, many policemen and soldiers, including officers, have been killed by terrorists and other criminals.

Prior to the commencement of their recess, some senators, including some in the ruling All Progressives Congress, gave the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), six weeks to address the insecurity or face impeachment when the National Assembly reconvenes in September.

The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, also urged his colleagues to stay away from the Federal Capital Territory during their holiday because of insecurity, saying, “I want to beg members; Abuja is no longer safe; please, if possible, go back to your constituencies. This place is so insecure.”

These came after notorious Boko Haram terrorists and other criminals were freed during an attack by terrorists on the Kuje Medium Correctional Centre. Gunmen had also attacked some personnel of the Nigerian Army Presidential Guards Brigade, killing some officers in the process.

The Force PRO said it might be difficult to state the number of requests for police protection received so far but that the surge might not be unconnected with the upcoming campaigns and the 2023 elections.

“I don’t have the statistics for now because the requests will continue to come from various angles to the office of the IG, but generally there is an increase because most of the new candidates would want to have police protection. I know there is an increase, especially now that they will commence their campaigns very soon,” Adejobi stated.