President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police personnel assigned to VIP security duties, directing that officers be redeployed to core policing functions nationwide.
The directive was issued during a security meeting at the Presidential Villa with key security chiefs, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the decision in a statement, noting that the move aims to strengthen police presence across the country and refocus manpower on essential law enforcement duties.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers currently providing security for Very Important Persons in the country. Henceforth, police authorities will deploy them to concentrate on their core police duties,” Onanuga said.
The directive comes amid rising security concerns and a spate of abductions in several states. Under the new arrangement, VIPs seeking security protection will be required to request armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), rather than the police.
Onanuga explained that many communities, particularly in remote areas, are underserved by police personnel—leaving gaps in security coverage.
“In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities,” he added.
He further disclosed that the President has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers and is working with state governments to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.
