President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to provide security for Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country, in a move aimed at strengthening police presence in underserved communities.

The directive was disclosed in a statement on Sunday, November 23, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, following a high-level security meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to the statement, police personnel previously attached to VIPs will now be redeployed to frontline policing duties. VIPs requiring protection are henceforth to be assigned well-armed operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Onanuga explained that the decision was driven by the need to address severe manpower shortages in police stations, especially in remote parts of the country, where limited personnel have hindered effective protection of residents.

“In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities,” he said.

The presidential aide added that Tinubu has already approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel as part of broader reforms to enhance national security. The Federal Government is also partnering with state governments to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.

Sunday’s security meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.

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