President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of police officers assigned to protect Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country, the Presidency said on Sunday in Abuja.
The order, issued during a security meeting at the State House, mandates the Nigeria Police Force to redeploy such officers to core policing duties, especially in underserved communities.
The directive was contained in a statement signed by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
According to the statement, the President ordered that “police authorities will deploy them to concentrate on their core police duties.”
Tinubu noted that many communities, particularly remote areas, suffer from inadequate police presence. He said the decision was part of efforts to enhance national security and ensure citizens receive adequate protection.
Onanuga said the President was “desirous of boosting police presence in all communities in view of the current security challenges facing the country.”
He added that VIPs still requiring security cover must henceforth request personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
“VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,” the statement read.
The Presidency also disclosed that Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers nationwide. It added that the Federal Government is working with state governments to upgrade police training facilities.
Present at Sunday’s meeting were the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr. Tosin Adeola Ajayi.