Tinubu reforms security architecture, pulls police officers from VIP duties nationwide

Tinubu reforms security architecture, pulls police officers from VIP duties nationwide

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to VIP security duties, directing that they return to core policing functions nationwide.

The directive was conveyed in a statement released by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who said the move is aimed at strengthening police presence across the country, especially in underserved and remote communities.

According to the statement, President Tinubu issued the order during a high-level security meeting held on Sunday with top military and intelligence chiefs, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Tosin Adeola Ajayi.

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The president directed that VIPs requiring protection will, going forward, request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) instead of the police.

Tinubu noted that the lack of adequate police personnel in many communities has made it difficult to effectively protect citizens amid Nigeria’s current security challenges. To address this, he has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers and announced plans to work with state governments to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.

The new directive is part of the administration’s broader strategy to reinforce national security and reposition the Nigeria Police Force for improved performance.

Tinubu reforms security architecture, pulls police officers from VIP duties nationwide