Tinubu Orders Withdrawal of Police from VIP Escorts

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country, directing that they be redeployed to core policing duties in communities.

The directive was issued on Sunday during a high-level security meeting at the State House in Abuja with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the Chiefs of Army and Air Staff; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).

A statement by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, confirmed that the move is aimed at boosting police presence, particularly in remote areas where stations are understaffed and citizens remain vulnerable to attacks.

“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,” the statement reads

Under the new arrangement, VIPs who require security protection will now be expected to request armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), rather than the police.

To further reinforce law enforcement capacity, President Tinubu has also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers nationwide. Plans are reportedly underway to upgrade training facilities in collaboration with state governments to support this expansion.

The security meeting was attended by top officials including the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; and the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.

This directive marks a significant shift in the country’s internal security architecture, addressing long-standing concerns about the diversion of trained police personnel to non-essential private guard duties at the expense of public safety.