Tinubu Orders Police Withdrawal from VIP Protection in Major Security Overhaul
President Bola Tinubu has issued a landmark directive for the immediate withdrawal of all police officers assigned to protect Very Important Persons (VIPs) across Nigeria, marking one of the most significant security policy shifts in recent years.
Redeployment to Core Policing Duties
According to a statement from Special Adviser to the President Bayo Onanuga, the withdrawn police personnel will be redeployed to core policing duties within communities nationwide. The decision was made during a high-level security meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Sunday.
The meeting included key security leaders: 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 State Security Service Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
New Security Arrangements for VIPs
Under the new framework, VIPs requiring protection will now need to seek security personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which will provide well-armed operatives for such duties. This represents a fundamental restructuring of how personal security is managed for Nigeria’s political and business elite.
Addressing Critical Police Shortages
President Tinubu emphasized that the move aims to address the insufficient police presence in many parts of the country, particularly in remote areas where police stations operate with minimal manpower. This shortage has made it increasingly difficult to safeguard lives and property amid rising security challenges.
“Given the prevailing security challenges across the nation, it has become imperative to strengthen police capacity and improve their visibility at the community level,” the President stated during the security council meeting.
Broader Security Enhancement Measures
As part of the comprehensive security reform, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The federal government is also collaborating with state governments to upgrade police training facilities nationwide, signaling a long-term commitment to professionalizing the police force.
Implications for National Security
This policy shift represents a significant reallocation of security resources toward community policing and strengthening frontline response to threats. Security analysts suggest this could potentially free up thousands of police officers currently assigned to personal protection duties, allowing for greater police visibility in communities grappling with various security threats.
The move also signals the Tinubu administration’s willingness to make politically sensitive decisions that prioritize broader public security over elite protection arrangements that have long been criticized as draining police resources.
Source: Daily Nigerian