The Anambra State Police Command has raised concerns over the increasing use of masked security personnel assigned to protect VIPs in the state, warning that the trend poses serious security risks.
In a statement issued on April 5, 2026, the Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Command was worried about the growing practice of operatives concealing their identities while on duty.
“The Command notes that while security duties often require tactical discretion, the act of masking identities without proper authorization raises significant security concerns,” the statement read.
The Command warned that such actions could undermine public trust and create loopholes for criminal elements.
“Such practices not only pose a potential threat to public safety but also undermine trust, accountability, and the integrity of inter-agency collaboration,” it added.
Reinforcing the position, the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, stressed the importance of identifiable personnel in coordinated security operations.
“Identifiable security personnel remain a critical component of coordinated security operations, especially in an environment that demands synergy among various agencies,” he said.
He further cautioned that the use of masks during routine or public-facing assignments—such as VIP protection—makes it difficult to verify legitimacy.
“The use of masks by operatives… makes it difficult to verify legitimacy and could be exploited by criminal elements to perpetrate unlawful acts under the guise of security duties,” Orutugu warned.
The Commissioner therefore called on all security agencies operating within the state to ensure proper identification of their personnel, except in clearly sanctioned tactical operations.
“The CP calls on all security agencies… to ensure that their personnel are properly identified at all times while on routine or protective duties, except in clearly defined tactical operations sanctioned by appropriate authorities,” the statement added.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, accountability, and public trust in maintaining security across Anambra State.
