President Bola Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers currently assigned to provide security for Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, who said that, going forward, the Nigeria Police Force will redeploy such officers to strengthen core policing duties nationwide.
According to the statement, the directive was issued during a security meeting President Tinubu held with the police, Air Force and army chiefs, as well as the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), in Abuja.
The presidential directive noted that “VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult.
“In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities.
“Already, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The federal government is also collaborating with the states to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.”
Those present at Sunday’s meeting included the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.