Tinubu Withdraws Police From VIP Escorts

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President Bola Tinubu has mandated the withdrawal of police escorts attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country, directing that officers currently engaged in personal protection roles be reassigned to critical policing functions nationwide. The directive, which marks one of the administration’s most significant security policy adjustments, was issued during a high-level security briefing held on Sunday in Abuja with military chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to a statement released by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the responsibility of providing security for VIPs will no longer fall on the Nigeria Police Force. Instead, such duties will now be handled by armed operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The goal, according to the Presidency, is to ensure that the police—already stretched thin by nationwide security pressures—can refocus on combating crime and improving safety in communities.

Highlighting the urgent need for this strategic shift, Onanuga explained that many regions in Nigeria, particularly rural and less accessible areas, are operating with an inadequate number of police personnel. This shortage, he noted, has hindered effective policing and left vulnerable communities underprotected. The statement read: “Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult. In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities.”

To strengthen the force further, the President has approved the recruitment of 30,000 new police officers, a move aimed at significantly increasing manpower and improving rapid response capabilities across the federation. Onanuga added that the Federal Government is working closely with state governments to enhance and modernise police training facilities, ensuring that newly recruited personnel and existing officers are adequately prepared for evolving security threats.

Sunday’s meeting drew attendance from top-ranking security officials, underscoring the seriousness of the discussions. Present were Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and DSS Director-General Tosin Adeola Ajayi, among other key figures in Nigeria’s security architecture.

The decision to reassign police officers from VIP protection to community-based policing addresses a long-standing concern among citizens and security analysts. For years, there have been complaints that a substantial portion of the nation’s police force—reportedly over 100,000 officers—has been diverted to guard politicians, wealthy individuals, business executives, and other influential personalities, leaving ordinary Nigerians with limited security coverage. Critics have argued that this imbalance has contributed to the rise in violent crimes, including banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery, especially in rural communities.

With the new directive, the Tinubu administration aims to rebalance the distribution of police personnel, ensuring that the majority serve the broader public rather than a privileged minority. The redeployment is expected to be gradual but comprehensive, with the NSCDC assuming expanded responsibilities in VIP protection once logistics and operational structures are fully aligned.

This sweeping security reform signals the government’s renewed commitment to strengthening national security and restoring public confidence in policing institutions. As implementation begins, many Nigerians will be watching to see how effectively the policy improves safety, boosts police visibility, and addresses the chronic manpower shortages that have plagued the system for years.

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