In a decisive move to strengthen national security and enhance police visibility in communities, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers currently attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country.
The directive was issued on Sunday during a high-level security meeting at the State House in Abuja.
The President emphasised that the primary duty of the Nigeria Police Force is to protect the general populace, particularly in remote areas where police presence has historically been thin.
Under the new presidential order, the withdrawn officers will be redeployed to focus exclusively on core policing duties.
The Presidency has directed that any VIP requiring security protection should henceforth request the services of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), whose personnel will be well-armed and equipped for such assignments.
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The policy shift aims to address the manpower deficit in local police stations, which has made defending communities against security threats increasingly difficult.
To further bolster the nation’s security architecture, Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers.
This recruitment drive is part of a broader strategy to ensure that every community in Nigeria has adequate police coverage.
The Federal Government also announced a collaborative effort with state governments to upgrade police training facilities nationwide, ensuring the new recruits and existing officers are better prepared for modern security challenges.
The Sunday security briefing was attended by the nation’s top security brass, including: Lt. General Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Chief of Air Staff, Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police and Tosin Adeola Ajayi, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS)
