Tinubu Withdraws Police from VIP Duty

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country, directing that the personnel be returned to core policing duties.

The decision was announced after the president met security chiefs—including the heads of the police, the army, the air force, and the Department of State Services (DSS)—in Abuja on Sunday.

In a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the government said VIPs who still require close protection will now have to request armed escorts from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), rather than from the police.

The change is expected to free up a significant number of officers who have long been tied up in private protection roles, allowing them to return to frontline duties.

According to the Presidency, the order is intended to address years of uneven personnel deployment that left many rural and semi-urban communities with insufficient police presence.

Tinubu reportedly voiced serious concern over dwindling police visibility across the country, especially in remote areas where stations are operating with minimal staff.

He stressed the need to restore a strong, community-centred policing structure as the country continues to face rising incidents of kidnapping, banditry, communal violence, and other security threats.

To strengthen this effort, Tinubu has also approved the recruitment of 30,000 new police officers—one of the largest single expansions of the Nigeria Police Force in recent memory.

The recruitment will be paired with a major upgrade of police training institutions, with the federal and state governments set to collaborate on modernising facilities and ensuring they are capable of producing well-trained, professional officers.

Sunday’s security meeting was attended by senior security officials, including Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and DSS Director-General Tosin Adeola Ajayi.