Tinubu Strips VIPs of Police Escorts to Fix Failing Security

By Passman Akpos

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country, directing that they return to core policing duties to strengthen national security.

The directive was issued during a high-level security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja, attended by 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.

Under the new policy, VIPs seeking security protection will now rely on well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), shifting the burden away from the overstretched police force.

According to the State House statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the decision is aimed at boosting police presence across communities, especially in remote areas where police stations are critically understaffed.

The President expressed concern that the diversion of thousands of officers to VIP protection over the years has weakened law enforcement in many parts of the country, making communities vulnerable amid rising insecurity.

To address the gap, President Tinubu has also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel, alongside a nationwide upgrade of police training facilities in partnership with state governments.

The new directive is expected to reshuffle the country’s security architecture, reduce the number of officers attached to politicians and wealthy individuals, and refocus the Nigeria Police Force on crime prevention, response, and community protection.

The presidential decision marks one of the most sweeping reforms of VIP policing since Nigeria’s return to democracy.