Tinubu orders redeployment of police from VIP to core duties, approves 30,000 recruitment

Abdullateef Fowewe

President Bola Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of police officers assigned to guard Very Important Persons (VIPs) across Nigeria.

The officers according to a statement on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, the president’s spokesman, will now be redeployed to focus on their primary police responsibilities, announced the president during a security meeting held Sunday in Abuja.

At the meeting on Sunday with top security officials, including the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and chiefs from the Air Force, Army, and Department of State Services, Tinubu emphasised the need to increase police presence in communities struggling with security shortages.

“As many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, protecting the people has become difficult. We must boost police presence everywhere,” the president stated.

VIPs requiring personal protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps rather than police officers.

President Tinubu has also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers and is working with the states to upgrade police training facilities nationwide to improve overall security.

The meeting aimed to refocus national security resources amid ongoing challenges, reflecting Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening law enforcement effectiveness.