By Peter Omopo
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) nationwide, directing that the officers be reassigned to core policing duties to strengthen security across the country.
The directive was announced on Sunday following a high-level security meeting held in Abuja with service chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, VIPs who require protection will henceforth be guarded by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), not the police.
Onanuga said the decision was driven by the urgent need to increase police presence in underserved and vulnerable communities.
“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 read.
“In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities.”
The directive comes amid long-standing concerns regarding the overstretching of the Nigeria Police Force. Various reports indicate that more than 100,000 police officers—nearly a quarter of the entire force—are assigned to politicians, businessmen and other privileged individuals.
Onanuga also announced that the President has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel to enhance operational capacity. In addition, the Federal Government is collaborating with state governments to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.
Among those present at Sunday’s security meeting were 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 the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
The policy shift is expected to free up thousands of officers for community policing, rural patrols, and rapid response operations, aligning with Tinubu’s pledge to improve public safety and strengthen internal security.
