TINUBU ORDERS WITHDRAWAL OF POLICE OFFICERS FROM VIP DUTIES FOR CORE POLICE OPERATIONS

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of police officers currently assigned to guard Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country. The decision, issued during a high-level security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja with the police, military chiefs, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), is part of efforts to address Nigeria’s escalating security challenges.

According to the presidential directive, the officers will now be redeployed to undertake core policing duties in communities nationwide. President Tinubu emphasized the urgent need to boost police presence at the grassroots, where many stations are understaffed, making it difficult to protect and defend residents effectively.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening national security, noting that the Federal Government is collaborating with state governments to upgrade police training facilities across the country. Additionally, the ongoing recruitment of 30,000 new police officers is aimed at enhancing manpower and improving response capacity.

Going forward, VIPs who require personal protection will no longer be catered for by the Nigeria Police Force. Instead, they will be expected to request adequately armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Sunday’s security meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaiba; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kevin Aneke; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.

My Suggestion:

Private individuals who feel the need for additional personal security should invest in training and empowering local vigilante groups to move with them, instead of depending on police or military personnel who are meant for national security duties.

Comrade Abu Michael Rasheed is a social activist, theologian, policy political/political analyst, and blogger from Edo State.