Just In: Tinubu orders withdrawal of police from VIP escorts

… Redirects Officers to Core Duties

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to protect Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country, insisting that the personnel be redeployed to strengthen core policing functions nationwide.

The directive followed a high-level security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja, attended by service chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS). Those present included 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 the DSS DG, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.

Under the new arrangement, VIPs requiring armed protection will now be directed to seek such services from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), rather than the Nigeria Police Force.

According to the Presidency, the decision is aimed at addressing the acute shortage of police personnel in many parts of the country—particularly remote communities—where low manpower has hampered effective crime prevention and response.

President Tinubu, who expressed concern about ongoing security challenges, emphasized the need to significantly boost police visibility and operational capacity nationwide. To this end, he has already 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 across Nigeria in preparation for the new recruitment drive.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.