By Bavoriat Clara
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers currently assigned to provide personal security for Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country.
The directive, announced in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, mandates the Nigeria Police Force to redeploy such personnel to strengthen their primary policing responsibilities nationwide.
According to the statement, the President issued the order during a high-level security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja with security chiefs, including the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Under the new arrangement, VIPs requiring security protection will now obtain well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The Presidency noted that many communities, particularly remote areas, currently suffer from a shortage of police personnel, hindering effective protection of citizens. The directive aims to boost police presence across the country amid ongoing security challenges.
President Tinubu has already approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers, while the Federal Government is working with state governments to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.
Those present at Sunday’s meeting included the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
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