President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned as security escorts to Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country. The officers will be redeployed to perform core policing duties in order to strengthen national security.
The directive was issued during a high-level security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja, which was attended by 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 (DSS), Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
According to the new policy, VIPs seeking security protection will now obtain well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), rather than the police.
The move comes amid concerns over inadequate police presence in many parts of the country, especially rural and remote areas, which are often left vulnerable due to understaffed police stations.
In response to rising security challenges, President Tinubu aims to increase police visibility nationwide. To this end, he has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The Federal Government is also working with state governments to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.
The President emphasized that boosting police manpower and ensuring officers perform their primary responsibilities is crucial to enhancing the protection of citizens and restoring public safety.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy)
November 23, 2025
