IGP confirms withdrawal of 11,566 police officers from VIPs, orders massive deployment
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has announced the successful withdrawal of 11,566 officers from VIP security duties during a high-level strategic conference on November 27, 2025, at the Peacekeeping Hall in Abuja.
This move according to a statement on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, implements President Bola Tinubu’s directive to redeploy personnel for frontline policing amid rising security challenges.
Egbetokun directed all Commissioners of Police to scale up visible policing nationwide, especially ahead of the yuletide season, by reinforcing intelligence, community engagement, and protection of vulnerable areas.
In his address, the IGP commended officers’ resilience and emphasised redeploying the withdrawn personnel to enhance public safety.
“This is essential to strengthening general policing operations, boosting manpower availability for frontline duties, and enhancing public safety,” Egbetokun stated, underscoring the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to a secure environment for all citizens.
The initiative builds on Tinubu’s broader reforms, including approval for recruiting 30,000 new officers and upgrading training facilities to address manpower shortages in remote areas.
VIPs must now seek protection from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, freeing police for core duties like counter-insurgency and crime prevention.
Egbetokun mandated immediate action on intelligence-gathering and professional policing, aiming to deter crime and reassure the public.
Hundeyin thereby confirmed the Force’s unrelenting efforts for peace across Nigeria.
