President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to provide personal security for Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country.
The order was revealed in a statement issued by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga following a high-level security meeting held on Sunday, November 23, in Abuja. The meeting was attended by the heads of the Armed Forces, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to the directive, police officers previously attached to VIPs will now be redeployed to bolster security nationwide and focus on their primary policing responsibilities. Going forward, VIPs requiring armed protection will be expected to request security personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Onanuga noted that the decision was driven by the shortage of police presence in many remote communities, which has made it increasingly difficult to protect residents amid rising security challenges.
“Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult,” he said.
He added that President Tinubu is committed to strengthening security coverage nationwide, especially at the grassroots level.
As part of efforts to increase manpower, Tinubu has already approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers, with the federal government working with state governments to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.
Sunday’s meeting was attended by: Lt. General Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Chief of Air Staff, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, DSS Director-General, Tosin Adeola Ajayi
