President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers assigned to guard VIPs across the country, directing that they be redeployed to strengthen core policing duties nationwide.
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The directive followed a security meeting the president held on Sunday in Abuja with service chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services.
Under the new arrangement, VIPs seeking security escorts will now obtain armed protection from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps instead of the police.
The presidency noted that the decision comes amid concerns that many communities, particularly rural areas, remain under-policed, making it difficult for security agencies to adequately protect residents.
To address these gaps, President Tinubu has also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel and is working with state governments to upgrade police training facilities across the country.
Those present at the meeting included the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the DSS Director-General, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
