Tinubu Orders Withdrawal of Police from VIP Escorts, Approves Recruitment of 30,000 Officers

President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned as escorts to Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country.

The directive was disclosed in a statement issued by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who said that moving forward, police personnel would be reassigned to focus on their primary policing responsibilities.

According to Onanuga, the order was issued during a security meeting President Tinubu held on Sunday with the heads of the police, army, Air Force, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja.

The statement quoted the Presidency as saying: “VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.”

It further noted that inadequate policing, especially in remote communities, has made it difficult to effectively protect citizens.

“Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult,” the directive stated.

The President, the statement added, aims to increase police visibility nationwide.

“In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities,” it read.

The Presidency also confirmed that Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers, and that the Federal Government is working with state governments to upgrade police training facilities across Nigeria.

Sunday’s meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun; and the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.

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