President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that police officers currently assigned to protect Very Important Persons (VIPs) be withdrawn and redeployed to focus on their core policing duties.
The presidential instruction came during a security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja with top military and security officials, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General 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.
Speaking on the decision, the presidency noted that “VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.”
The move aims to address the shortage of police personnel in many parts of Nigeria, particularly in remote areas where inadequate staffing has hindered law enforcement and community protection. The government emphasized that the redeployment would strengthen police presence across communities, especially amid growing security challenges nationwide.
In addition to the directive, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The federal government is also partnering with state governments to upgrade police training facilities across the country.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed the directives in a statement issued following the meeting, highlighting the president’s commitment to boosting security nationwide.