President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to protect Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country, directing that they return to core policing duties amid rising security challenges.
The directive, disclosed in a statement signed by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga on Sunday, was issued during a high-level security meeting attended by the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to the statement, VIPs who require security escorts will now be expected to request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) instead of the Nigeria Police Force.
The presidency said the decision comes as many communities, especially those in remote areas, suffer from inadequate police presence despite escalating security threats.
“Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult,” the statement said.
Okay News reports that the shift signals a major restructuring of police manpower deployment, with the government seeking to redirect thousands of officers from personal guard duties to frontline security operations.
To reinforce the new directive, President Tinubu has also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers, alongside a fresh collaboration with state governments to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.
