President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of police officers currently assigned to guard Very Important Persons (VIPs), ordering that they be redeployed to core policing duties across the country.
The directive was issued during a high-level security meeting held in Abuja on Sunday with service chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS). The President said VIPs who require protection will henceforth rely on personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Officials explained that the move is aimed at addressing the shortage of police presence in many parts of Nigeria, particularly rural communities where stations often operate with limited manpower.
Tinubu emphasised that boosting police visibility and effectiveness in communities is critical to tackling the nation’s current security challenges.
As part of broader reforms, the President has also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The federal government is working with state authorities to upgrade police training facilities nationwide to prepare the recruits and strengthen operational capacity.
The Abuja meeting was attended by Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and DSS Director-General Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
The announcement was made in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
