Tinubu Orders Withdrawal of Police Guards From VIPs
By Odekunle Doyin
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons across the country, saying the personnel are needed for core policing duties.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Sunday in Abuja.
The directive followed a security meeting the President held on Sunday in Abuja with service chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services. The move, according to the Presidency, is aimed at boosting police presence in communities where security challenges remain high.
Under the new arrangement, VIPs who require personal protection will now apply for armed security from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Many police divisions, especially in remote areas, currently operate with limited manpower, a situation the President said weakens efforts to safeguard citizens.
To strengthen the system, Tinubu has also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers, while the Federal Government is working with states to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.
Those present at Sunday’s meeting included 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 DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
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