President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has ordered the immediate withdrawal of all police officers assigned to protect Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country.
The directive was issued during a high-level security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja, which was attended by the heads of the Army, Air Force, Police, and the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to a statement from the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the withdrawn officers will be redeployed to focus on “core police duties.”
The move is aimed at addressing the critical shortage of police personnel in many communities, particularly in remote areas.
To fill the security gap for individuals requiring protection, the presidential directive states that VIPs will now be required to request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The decision is part of a broader strategy to enhance security nationwide. The statement noted that President Tinubu is “desirous of boosting police presence in all communities” in view of the country’s current security challenges.
This new policy is supported by other initiatives, including the recently approved recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers and a federal-state collaboration to upgrade police training facilities across the country.
The move is expected to free up a significant number of police officers for active crime-fighting and public safety roles, potentially altering the security landscape for both the elite and the general public.
TheMediaGood Newspaper can reliably report that this is the first time that a President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will give this order of Police officers’ withdrawal from VIP duties. All previous failed efforts were conducted by the Inspectors-General of Police. It is hoped that this order will stay and become entrenched in the Nigeria Police Force.