Abuja – President Bola Tinubu has directed that police officers currently assigned to protect Very Important Persons (VIPs) be withdrawn and redeployed to focus on their core policing responsibilities.
This report is based on a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
The presidential order was issued during a security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja, which brought together the police, Air Force, Army chiefs, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The directive specifies that VIPs who require security can now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The decision aims to strengthen police presence across the country, particularly in rural areas where staffing at police stations is limited, making it challenging to protect citizens effectively. In line with this objective, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers and is working with states to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.
The statement reads: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers currently providing security for Very Important Persons in the country.
“Henceforth, police authorities will deploy them to concentrate on their core police duties.
“The presidential directive was issued at the security meeting President Tinubu held on Sunday with the police, Air Force, army chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, in Abuja.
“According to the Presidential directive, VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult.
“In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities.
“Already, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The federal government is also collaborating with the states to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.
“Sunday’s meeting was attended by 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, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.”
