President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to provide security for Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country.
In a statement released by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the administration said the police will henceforth refocus on their primary responsibilities instead of guarding individuals.
The directive, according to the statement, followed a high-level security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja with the heads of the police, army, Air Force, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The presidency clarified that, going forward, “VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.”
The statement added that many rural communities are underserved by police personnel, leaving residents vulnerable. It explained that the President wants to strengthen security nationwide by ensuring more officers are deployed back to local stations.
“In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities,” it said, noting that Tinubu has already approved the recruitment of 30,000 new police officers.
The federal government is also partnering with state governments to upgrade police training centres across the country.
Those present at Sunday’s meeting included Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and DSS Director-General Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
