Tinubu Orders Immediate Withdrawal of Police Officers From VIP Security, Approves Recruitment of 30,000 New Personnel

Tinubu Withdraws Police from VIP Duties, Approves 30,000 New Recruits in Sweeping Security Reform

 In a major move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of all police officers currently serving as personal security for Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country. The president made this decision public through a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealing that the Nigerian Police Force will now refocus on its core constitutional responsibility, protecting the lives and property of ordinary Nigerians.
According to the presidency, the new directive is part of a wider security reform designed to boost the presence and effectiveness of police officers nationwide, especially in rural and underserved communities where security gaps have persisted for years. Many communities have battled banditry, kidnapping, and violent crimes without sufficient police presence, a situation the president says can no longer continue.

In the statement released after the Sunday security briefing, the federal government explained that the decision is targeted at correcting a long-standing problem where thousands of police officers are attached to politicians, businessmen, and private citizens, leaving a huge shortage of officers at police stations. This imbalance has weakened the police’s ability to respond quickly to threats and has created opportunities for criminals to operate freely in isolated areas. The presidency stressed that VIPs who still require security escorts will now request armed operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) rather than the police. This shift, according to the government, will allow the police to return fully to community policing, crime prevention, and emergency response duties.

A key highlight of the president’s directive is the emphasis on redirecting security resources to the grassroots. Tinubu expressed concern that while influential individuals have multiple security personnel at their disposal, many Nigerians living in remote regions are left vulnerable, with some police stations operating with less than ten officers.
His spokesman stated:

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

This, the presidency noted, runs contrary to the president’s vision of a truly people-focused and proactive security system. The government believes that the redistribution of police personnel will help tackle kidnapping, banditry, communal conflicts, and other rising threats.

As part of the sweeping security reforms, President Tinubu has also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. This move aims to address the longstanding manpower shortage within the Nigeria Police Force, which experts say has contributed to the rising insecurity across the country.
Nigeria currently has one of the lowest police-to-population ratios globally, far below the United Nations recommendation. With over 200 million citizens, the Nigeria Police Force has struggled with manpower, mobility, training facilities, equipment, and welfare challenges.
The additional 30,000 officers are expected to:

• Increase police presence in communities
• Strengthen intelligence gathering
• Enhance rapid response to emergencies
• Reduce police fatigue and overstretch
• Improve monitoring and patrol in rural areas

According to the presidency, the federal government is also working with state governments to upgrade police training facilities nationwide, ensuring that new recruits are adequately trained for modern-day policing realities.

President Tinubu’s directive was issued after an extended security meeting held on Sunday at the State House in Abuja. The meeting brought together Nigeria’s top security chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies, highlighting the urgency of the current security challenges confronting the nation.
Those in attendance included:

• Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu
• Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke
• Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun
• Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi

During the meeting, the president received up-to-date briefings on security operations across different regions of the country. He also reviewed reports on ongoing anti-kidnapping operations, counter-banditry efforts, and intelligence assessments from federal agencies. The security chiefs discussed strategies to tackle emerging threats, improve inter-agency cooperation, and build a more coordinated national security response.

What This Policy Means for Nigerians
1. Stronger Community Policing
The redirection of police officers from VIP assignments to community policing duties is expected to increase the number of officers available for patrol and response operations nationwide. This means more visibility, more monitoring, and quicker reaction times during crises.

2. Reduced Pressure on Police Officers
Police officers who previously served in VIP convoys often worked under stressful conditions and long hours unrelated to their core job descriptions. The new directive gives them a chance to return to official duties without the burden of serving private individuals.

3. VIPs Must Seek Protection Elsewhere
Politicians, business executives, high-profile citizens, and other influential individuals who rely heavily on police escorts will now have to request trained security operatives from the NSCDC, which is equally equipped to handle protective duties.

4. More Balanced Security Distribution
The government aims to use this policy to correct the imbalance where rural communities suffer from insufficient policing while the cities appear overstaffed due to private escort assignments.

A Step Toward Comprehensive Security Reform
President Tinubu had previously signaled his intention to overhaul Nigeria’s security structure, and this directive represents one of the most significant steps towards that goal. The decision aligns with his broader agenda of modernizing policing, enhancing national security, and ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of where they live, has access to protection.
Security analysts have long argued that the overstretch of police manpower is partly responsible for the surge in violent crimes across the country. By releasing thousands of officers from private duties back into the system, the government hopes to create a more agile, effective, and present police force.
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The withdrawal of police officers from VIP protection and the recruitment of 30,000 additional personnel signal a major turning point in Nigeria’s approach to national security. President Tinubu’s directive reflects a commitment to prioritizing public safety, tackling insecurity at the grassroots, and strengthening the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force. With improved training facilities, better manpower distribution, and increased collaboration among security agencies, the government aims to rebuild public confidence and restore order across communities.

By Primelineinfo