President Bola Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers currently assigned to provide security for Very Important Persons (VIPs) across Nigeria, directing that they return to their core policing duties.
A statement from the President’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said the directive followed a security meeting on Sunday in Abuja with top security officials, including Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Egbetokun, and Director-General of the Department of State Services Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
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Onanuga quoted the presidential directive: “VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. 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 also confirmed that the federal government has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers and is working with states to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.