Tinubu orders withdrawal of police guards from VIPs for core policing duties
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) nationwide and directed their redeployment to core policing duties.
Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, announced the directive in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.
According to him, the President took the decision during a security meeting with the service chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Onanuga said VIPs who require security protection will henceforth request armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) instead of the Nigeria Police Force.
He explained that many communities, particularly in remote areas, have limited police presence, a situation that has made it difficult for officers to adequately protect citizens.
“The President is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities. Redeploying officers from VIP security to regular policing duties will strengthen the nation’s overall security architecture,” the statement said.
Onanuga also revealed that President Tinubu had approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel, while the Federal Government was collaborating with state governments to upgrade police training facilities across the country.
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the Director-General of DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
