President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to guard prominent individuals, instructing that the officers be redeployed to frontline policing across the country. The order followed a high-level security meeting on Sunday in Abuja, attended by the heads of the police, army, air force and the Department of State Services.
Under the new directive, VIPs who still require protection will seek armed escorts from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. The decision comes amid growing concern over the limited presence of police personnel in many communities, particularly in rural areas where stations often operate with only a handful of officers.
The Presidency said the directive is part of a broader effort to strengthen security nationwide and improve the visibility and effectiveness of law enforcement. President Tinubu has already approved the recruitment of thirty thousand additional police officers and is working with state governments to upgrade training facilities to match the country’s security demands.
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At the meeting were the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director General of the DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi. The discussion focused on the current threats across the country and the steps needed to reinforce security operations.
The Presidency emphasised that rebuilding public confidence in policing requires more officers on the streets and fewer tied to private assignments. The withdrawal order is expected to release thousands of personnel for national security duties at a time when many citizens have called for stronger protection.
