President Tinubu Orders Withdrawal of Police Officers Guarding VIPs to Focus on Core Duties

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of police officers who currently provide
security for Very Important Persons (VIPs), ordering that they be redeployed to address more pressing
security needs across the country.

According to a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo
Onanuga, Tinubu made the decision during a Sunday security meeting with top security chiefs, including
the Inspector-General of Police, the Army Chief, the Air Force Chief, and the head of the DSS.
The directive calls for these redeployed officers to concentrate on their core police functions —
responding to crime, protecting communities, and reinforcing local law enforcement — rather than
guarding VIPs.

Under the new order, VIPs who still require personal protection are now being instructed to request
well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) instead.
The shift reflects a strategic attempt to free up more police manpower for frontline and community-
based policing, especially in remote and underserved areas.
As part of a larger security reform, Tinubu has also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police
officers, aiming to enhance police presence across the country.

Additionally, the federal government will collaborate with states to upgrade police training facilities,
ensuring that newly recruited officers are well-prepared for community and tactical policing.
This is not the first time withdrawal orders have been made: earlier in 2025, IGP Kayode Egbetokun had
already ordered the Police Mobile Force (PMF) to pull back from VIP escort duties to refocus on internal
security and rapid response roles.
The IGP also announced reforms, including more ethics training, better accountability for commanders,
and restructuring of PMF units to be on standby for emergencies rather than VIP protection.

Redeploying officers from VIP protection could improve public access to policing, especially in rural and
high-risk areas. The move sends a strong message that security resources should prioritize public safety
over elite privilege. With more police on the streets, authorities hope to better address crime,
insurgency, and other security challenges.

By Oyinkansola Shittu.

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