By Erewunmi Peace

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers assigned to protect VIPs across the country, directing that they be redeployed to “core policing duties” to strengthen security in underserved areas.

According to an official statement from the Presidency, the directive applies to all federal and state government officials who previously enjoyed permanent police security details. The statement clarified that VIPs who still require personal protection may now request security from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) instead of the police.

The government explained that the measure is aimed at optimizing police manpower, ensuring officers are available to tackle frontline security challenges, including crime prevention, rapid response to emergencies, and community policing.

In addition to the withdrawal, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel to enhance the overall capacity of the Nigeria Police Force.

Security analysts say the move could improve police presence in high-risk areas and reduce the misuse of officers for VIP protection.

Some observers, however, are cautious, noting that enforcement and proper implementation will be critical to achieving tangible results.

This policy shift reflects the administration’s stated goal of making the police more effective and visible to ordinary citizens, rather than prioritizing the protection of select individuals.

The Presidency described the directive as a major step towards strengthening national security, ensuring law enforcement is focused on protecting the general public rather than a few high-profile figures.