President BolaTinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers currently assigned to protect very important persons (VIPs) across the country.
Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, said in a statement that the directive, issued during a security meeting on Sunday in Abuja, mandates that police personnel concentrate on their core duties of maintaining law and order.
Henceforth, VIPs seeking personal security are advised to request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
President Tinubu noted that many areas, particularly remote communities, face shortages of police officers at local stations, making the protection of ordinary citizens a challenge.
The decision is part of his administration’s efforts to strengthen police presence nationwide.
In line with this, the president has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers.
The federal government is also partnering with states to upgrade police training facilities across Nigeria.
The security meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. 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 Department of State Services, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
