President Tinubu Orders Recall of Police From VIP Protection Duties

President Bola Tinubu has directed that police officers attached to Very Important Persons across the country be recalled and reassigned to regular policing duties. The decision, announced in a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, aims to strengthen police presence in underserved communities facing rising security pressures.

Under the new directive, VIPs seeking armed protection will obtain personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps instead of the police. The presidency noted that many rural and remote areas remain understaffed, making it difficult for officers to respond effectively to threats and protect residents.

The move aligns with broader efforts to reinforce national security, including the approval for the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The federal government is also working with state authorities to upgrade training facilities to better prepare new and existing personnel for field operations.

The directive followed a security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja with service chiefs and intelligence heads. Those in attendance 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 Department of State Services, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.