President Bola Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons across the country, a major shift aimed at strengthening internal security and restoring manpower to police formations that have long operated below capacity.
The directive was contained in an official statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga after a high-level security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja. Present at the meeting were service chiefs, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Waidi Shaibu, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
According to the statement, President Tinubu ordered police authorities to redeploy officers assigned to VIPs so they can “concentrate on their core police duties.” The move marks one of the most significant attempts in recent years to reduce the long-criticised diversion of police personnel to elite individuals at the expense of community safety.
The Presidency noted that VIPs requiring protection would now be expected to request armed escorts from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. The directive explained that “VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.”
The President’s decision is rooted in concerns about the shortage of police presence in many parts of the country, particularly rural communities. The statement highlighted the imbalance, saying that “many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult.”
Tinubu’s new directive aligns with his administration’s push to strengthen internal security. The statement emphasized his commitment to boosting police visibility and effectiveness nationwide, noting that “in view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities.”
As part of the broader reform, the President has approved the recruitment of 30,000 new police officers. The federal government is also working closely with states to upgrade police training facilities nationwide. This forms part of an ongoing effort to equip officers with modern skills, improve response times and rebuild public confidence in law enforcement.
The decision to reassign VIP guards is expected to spark conversations about security privileges and the responsibilities of public figures, especially in a country where the majority often complain of inadequate policing. However, government insiders describe the move as a necessary corrective measure to address manpower deficits that have weakened frontline policing for years.
Police deployment to VIPs has historically been a drain on operational capacity, with thousands of officers assigned to politicians, business executives and other influential individuals. The new directive signals an intent to reverse that trend and refocus the police force on public safety.
The Sunday meeting in Abuja, which brought together heads of security agencies, underscores the urgency the administration attaches to stabilising the country’s security environment. Though the statement did not outline a specific timeline for the withdrawal, senior officials say the process is expected to begin immediately under the supervision of the Inspector General of Police.
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