All police personnel providing protection to Very Important Persons (VIPs) in Nigeria have been directed to return to their core police duties.
This order was given by President Bola Tinubu via a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday night.
In the statement, Mr Tinubu told the police authorities to immediately withdraw these police officers from the VIPs.
VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
It was disclosed that the President gave this directive in view of the current security challenges facing the country, noting that this action is to boost police presence in all communities.
He took this action when he held a meeting with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, on Sunday in Abuja alongside the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult.
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.