The European Union Agency for Asylum, estimated that more than 100,000 officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) are currently deployed to protect politicians and other very important persons (VIPs) rather than community policing and crime prevention.

In the report, the EU agency said that currently the NPF has about 371,800 officers serving a population of roughly 236.7 million people.

It said the country’s policing deficits are worsened by the diversion of a significant share of available personnel to VIP protection.

“Both recent sources and sources dating back as far as 2007 claimed that the NPF had an estimated strength of 371,800, serving a total population estimated in 2024 at 236,747,130,” the report said.

“The resulting shortage in police personnel was compounded by the fact that more than 100,000 police officers were assigned to the protection of politicians and VIPs, rather than to tasks serving the general population.”

The EU agency said manpower shortages, corruption, and limited resources have led to slow emergency response times and left many communities without adequate police presence.

The report also highlighted weak accountability mechanisms that enable police misconduct, including arbitrary arrests, extortion, and excessive use of force.

“With reliable accountability mechanisms lacking, there were reports of police officers engaging in misconduct, including arbitrary arrests, extortion of money and excessive use of violence,” the report added.

Tragedy struck in Owerri, Imo State, on Monday when a vehicle driven by operatives of a taskforce allegedly crushed a motorcyclist and his passenger to death near the Akachi Road area of the state capital.

Witnesses said the taskforce operatives had earlier impounded a vehicle for purported traffic violations. One of the eyewitnesses, who identified himself simply as Donald, stated that some members of the team entered the seized vehicle and drove off at high speed, during which they reportedly ran into the motorcycle conveying the two victims.

The impact of the collision caused severe injuries, leading to the immediate death of both the rider and his passenger. The scene drew a large crowd of shocked residents, with the bodies of the victims still at the location at the time of filing this report.

Witnesses alleged that the taskforce operatives fled the scene shortly after the incident.

Residents expressed anger over the development and called on the Imo State Government to disband the taskforce, accusing its members of highhandedness in previous operations.

“This is painful. Government needs to look into the activities of this taskforce before things get out of hand,” a trader at the scene said.

The taskforce was said to have been involved in a clash with traders at Toronto Junction in Owerri about two weeks ago, an incident that reportedly resulted in fatalities.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Henry Okoye, had not issued a statement on the incident as of the time this report was filed.

Hajiya Sutura Shehu Shagari, the wife of former President Shehu Shagari (deceased) is dead, aged 89.

The family disclosed this today in a statement signed by the eldest son of the former President and Sarkin Mafaran Shagari, Capt. Bala Shagari.

Shagari said that Sutura died at about 3 p.m. on Monday after a prolonged illness at the age of 89.

He said, “With deep sorrow, we announce the demise of Hajiya Saratu Shagari, the last surviving wife of former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Turakin Sokoto.

“Hajiya Saratu was an embodiment of grace, humility and quite strength who lived a life by dignity.”