By Nkechi Eze
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country, directing that the personnel be reassigned to core policing duties to strengthen security presence nationwide.
The directive was announced in an official statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who explained that the President issued the order during a high-level security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja. The 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 Department of State Services, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
According to the directive, VIPs requiring security escorts will henceforth obtain armed protection from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), rather than the Nigeria Police Force. The decision follows concerns that many police stations, particularly in remote areas, are understaffed, limiting the capacity of the police to provide adequate protection and respond swiftly to threats.
Onanuga noted that the President is determined to reinforce policing capabilities in communities across the country, especially in view of the prevailing security challenges. He added that President Tinubu has already approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel as part of broader efforts to enhance the effectiveness of the force.
The federal government is also working with state governments to upgrade police training facilities nationwide, ensuring that newly recruited and serving officers receive improved preparation for modern policing demands.
President Tinubu’s directive marks a significant shift in security protocol, aimed at redirecting trained police officers from VIP escort duties to frontline public safety operations, thereby enhancing the overall security architecture of the country.
