Tinubu Orders Withdrawal of Police Escorts From VIPs, Redirects Officers to Core Duties

President Bola Tinubu has directed that police officers assigned to protect Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country be withdrawn and redeployed to focus on their primary policing responsibilities.

The directive was announced in a statement by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who explained that moving forward, VIPs seeking security will be required to request armed protection from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

According to the statement, Tinubu issued the order during a high-level security meeting held on Sunday with service chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the State House, Abuja.

The presidency noted:
“VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult.”

It stated that Tinubu aims to strengthen police presence nationwide in response to current security challenges.

“Already, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The federal government is also collaborating with the states to upgrade police training facilities nationwide,” the statement added.

Those in attendance at Sunday’s meeting included:

• Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General 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

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