President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to provide personal protection for Very Important Persons (VIPs), directing that they be redeployed to their primary policing responsibilities nationwide.
The directive was issued on Sunday during a high-level security meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, which brought together the heads of the police, army, Air Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS). According to the presidency, the move aims to strengthen security presence nationwide, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
Under the new arrangement, VIPs requiring armed protection must now secure such services from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). At the same time, police personnel are expected to return fully to public safety, crime prevention, and law-enforcement duties.
The presidency noted that many areas across Nigeria, predominantly rural and remote communities, currently suffer from a critical shortage of police presence. This, it said, has made it increasingly difficult for residents to receive adequate security and rapid response in times of crisis.
“With the security challenges facing the nation, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities,” the statement read.
To support the redeployment plan, the president has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The Federal Government is also working with state authorities to upgrade and expand police training facilities nationwide, ensuring that recruits and existing officers are adequately equipped for modern policing demands.
Sunday’s security meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant 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 DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
The directive marks one of the most significant efforts by the Tinubu administration to overhaul police deployment and address longstanding criticisms that too many officers are tied down to VIP protection rather than community safety.
The statement was issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
