BREAKING: President Tinubu Orders Immediate Withdrawal of Police Officers from VIPs, Announces 30,000 New Police Recruits

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a decisive move to address Nigeria’s escalating security challenges, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of all police officers currently assigned to protect Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country.

The officers will be redeployed to frontline policing duties, aiming to bolster community security amid widespread concerns over banditry, kidnappings, and inadequate police presence in remote areas.

The directive was issued during a high-level security meeting held on Sunday at the State House in Abuja, attended by key security chiefs including Chief of Army Staff Lt. General 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 Tosin Adeola Ajayi.

According to a State House press release issued by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, VIPs seeking armed protection must now request personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

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

“In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities.”

This order builds on previous efforts to reform police deployment. Inspector-General Egbetokun had issued similar directives in June 2023 and April 2025, calling for the withdrawal of mobile police officers from VIP escorts.

However, implementation has faced challenges, with reports indicating over 100,000 officers remain attached to VIPs, according to a recent EU assessment. A 2023 audit revealed more than 70,000 such attachments, highlighting a longstanding issue of resource misallocation in Nigeria’s security apparatus.

In addition to the withdrawal, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 new police officers and is collaborating with state governments to upgrade training facilities nationwide.

This is expected to significantly enhance the force’s capacity, which currently stands at around 370,000 personnel for a population exceeding 200 million.