In a decisive move aimed at strengthening national security, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers currently assigned to VIP escort and protection duties. Under the new directive, all Very Important Persons (VIPs) requiring close protection will now have to request security support from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), rather than the Nigeria Police Force.
The directive was issued during a high-level security briefing attended by service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS). According to sources from the meeting, the President emphasized that the Police Force must return to its primary responsibility — maintaining law and order within communities, especially in rural and high-risk areas.
Boosting Community Policing and Restoring Public Confidence
This policy shift is part of Tinubu’s broader strategy to improve community policing, enhance response time, and increase visibility of law enforcement officers across the country. Redirecting officers from VIP duties back into mainstream policing is expected to:
Strengthen patrol operations.
Improve intelligence gathering.
Enhance rapid response to crime.
Reinforce public trust in the police.
Security analysts have long argued that Nigeria’s policing manpower is stretched thin because thousands of officers are attached to VIPs, politicians, and wealthy individuals. This new policy aims to correct that imbalance.
30,000 New Police Officers to Be Recruited
To further address manpower shortages, President Tinubu approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers nationwide. This large-scale recruitment drive is part of the administration’s commitment to improving security architecture and reducing crime rates.
The President also revealed plans to collaborate closely with state governments to upgrade police colleges and training facilities across the country. Improved infrastructure, modern training programs, and enhanced welfare packages are expected to boost the efficiency and morale of newly recruited and existing officers.
A New Era for Security Management in Nigeria
The withdrawal of police from VIP protection marks one of the most significant security reforms in recent years. By redirecting security personnel to focus on community policing, the Federal Government aims to curb rising insecurity, especially in remote areas dealing with kidnapping, banditry, and communal clashes.
Security experts believe the policy could help restore professionalism to the Nigeria Police Force, ensure fair distribution of personnel, and ultimately make communities safer.
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