President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers assigned to guard Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country, directing that they be redeployed to perform core policing duties.
The directive was issued on Sunday during a high-level security meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with service chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) in attendance.
Under the new arrangement, VIPs requiring security escorts will now obtain armed protection from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), according to the presidency.
The decision comes amid concerns over inadequate police presence in many parts of Nigeria, particularly in remote communities where police stations operate with limited personnel. The shortage has hampered efforts to safeguard lives and property.
President Tinubu, who has repeatedly emphasized the need to strengthen internal security, said the move aims to boost police visibility and effectiveness nationwide.
To further support this goal, the President has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The federal government is also collaborating with state governments to upgrade police training facilities across Nigeria.
Those present at the meeting included the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
The statement was issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
