President Tinubu Orders Withdrawal of Police from VIP Protection to Boost Community Policing
Abuja, Nigeria — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of police officers currently assigned to provide security for Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country, emphasizing that the personnel should instead focus on their primary duties of protecting the public.
The directive was issued during a high-level security meeting held on Sunday at the State House, attended by 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 (DSS), Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
Under the new arrangement, VIPs seeking personal protection will now rely on well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The decision aims to address the shortage of police presence in many communities, especially in remote areas, where limited staffing has hindered effective policing and rapid response to security threats.
President Tinubu also reiterated his commitment to strengthening law enforcement nationwide, approving the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The federal government is collaborating with state governments to upgrade police training facilities and enhance operational capacity.
According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the move reflects the administration’s focus on reinforcing community security and ensuring that police resources are deployed where they are most needed.
President Tinubu Orders Withdrawal of Police from VIP Protection to Boost Community Policing