President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons across the country, in a major shake-up of security deployment.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the directive formed part of resolutions reached during the President’s high-level security meeting with Service Chiefs in Abuja.
Onanuga said the move is aimed at restoring the police to their “core duties” and improving their presence in communities grappling with insecurity.
Under the new arrangement, VIPs seeking armed security escorts must now apply to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Quoting the directive, Onanuga stated, “VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.”
He explained that many remote communities across the country have been left vulnerable due to the shortage of officers at police stations.
To address the personnel gap, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers and is working with state governments to upgrade training facilities nationwide.
The statement added, “In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities.”
Sunday’s security meeting was attended by:
Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu
Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun
Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi
