November 23, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country.
He also directing that the personnel be redeployed to bolster community policing and improve nationwide security response.
The directive was issued on Sunday during a high-level security meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with service chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) in attendance.
According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the move is aimed at addressing manpower gaps in many communities, especially in rural areas where police presence is thin.
Under the new arrangement, VIPs requiring escorts will now apply to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which will assume responsibility for most non-core policing protection duties.
“In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities,” the statement said.
In addition to redeploying personnel, the President approved the recruitment of 30,000 new police officers to strengthen the force.
The Federal Government is also collaborating with state governments to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.
Those present at the security briefing included 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 DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
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