**TINUBU ORDERS MASS WITHDRAWAL OF POLICE FROM VIPs

…Directs Redeployment To Communities, Approves Recruitment of 30,000 Officers**
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) nationwide, marking one of the most sweeping security policy overhauls in recent years.

The directive, announced in a statement on Sunday by Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, followed a high-stakes security meeting convened by the President with Service Chiefs at the State House, Abuja.

According to Onanuga, the new policy aims to “return the Nigeria Police Force to its core statutory duties” and restore police visibility in communities battling rising insecurity. He noted that the decades-long culture of assigning large numbers of officers to guard politicians, businessmen and influential individuals has depleted manpower at police stations—leaving rural communities dangerously exposed.

Under the new arrangement, VIPs seeking armed escorts will no longer get them directly from the police. Instead, they must formally apply to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which will now take responsibility for providing such protection.

Quoting the presidential directive, Onanuga stated:
“VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.”

The Presidency emphasised that the withdrawal of officers from private individuals is necessary to close the personnel gap crippling police operations nationwide.

To reinforce this shift, President Tinubu has also approved the recruitment of 30,000 new police officers, alongside a comprehensive upgrade of police training facilities across the states. The move is expected to strengthen community policing, improve response time, and reduce the burden on overstretched divisions.

“In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities,” the statement added.

Sunday’s high-level security session had in attendance:

Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff

Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Chief of Air Staff

Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police

Tosin Adeola Ajayi, Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS)

The directive is expected to trigger major realignments across security formations and could reshape the long-standing relationship between government officials, elites, and Nigeria’s policing structure.