Tinubu Orders Withdrawal of Police Escorts from VIPs, Redirects Officers to Core Policing

President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to Very Important Persons (VIPs) across Nigeria, ordering their redeployment to strengthen frontline policing nationwide.

The directive was issued on Sunday during a high-level security meeting at the State House in Abuja, reflecting the government’s renewed commitment to boosting community security amid rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.

Under the new policy, VIPs who still require security protection will now be assigned operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). This move is aimed at allowing the Nigeria Police Force to refocus on crime prevention, law enforcement, and rapid response.

For years, the public has raised concerns over the large number of police officers attached to politicians, private individuals, and business elites, leaving many communities understaffed and unable to effectively respond to threats. In some rural areas, police stations have operated with minimal personnel, slowing their ability to protect residents from attacks.

To address this imbalance, President Tinubu has also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The Federal Government is working with state governments to upgrade training facilities and improve the capacity of both new and existing personnel.

According to the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the security meeting was attended by top service chiefs, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.

The withdrawal of police escorts is expected to take immediate effect. Security agencies are now working out the modalities for redeploying personnel and strengthening the NSCDC units that will handle VIP protection going forward.

Officials say the move signals a major shift in Nigeria’s security strategy, one that prioritises community safety and enhances the presence of police officers where they are most needed.