Tinubu Orders Withdrawal of Police Officers from VIP Security to Strengthen Core Policing

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to provide security for Very Important Persons (VIPs) across Nigeria. This move aims to redeploy these officers back to their fundamental law enforcement duties to bolster nationwide security amid rising challenges.

The directive was issued during a top-level security meeting held on Sunday at the State House in Abuja. Present at the meeting were the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.

Under the new arrangement, VIPs wishing to have security protection will now turn to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which will supply well-armed personnel to serve in this capacity. This shift is part of a broader strategy to address the low police presence in many Nigerian communities, especially in remote regions where stations are severely understaffed.

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President Tinubu’s administration recognizes the urgent need to strengthen policing at the grassroots level to better protect lives and property. To this end, the President has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The federal government is also collaborating with state governments to upgrade police training facilities nationwide, enhancing the capability and reach of the police force.

This policy signals a pivotal step toward refocusing the Nigeria Police Force on its core mandate of community protection and crime prevention, which is critical given the current security environment in the country.