Writing By Bello Wakili; Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to protect Very Important Persons (VIPs), directing that they be redeployed to core policing duties across the country.
According to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the directive issued during a high level security meeting on Sunday means VIPs seeking security protection will now have to request armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The move follows growing concerns that many rural and remote communities lack sufficient police presence, making effective protection and response difficult.
The President is said to be prioritising stronger police deployment nationwide as part of efforts to tackle current security challenges.
To address manpower gaps, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers, while the federal government, in collaboration with state governments, is upgrading police training facilities across the country.
Sunday’s meeting at the State House was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. 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 Department of State Services (DSS), Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
The directive marks a major step in the administration’s plan to refocus the police on frontline security duties.
Bello Wakili
