By Sani Ma’azu, Abuja
Security Meeting – 23, 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police personnel assigned to provide security for Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country.
A statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the officers will now be redeployed to perform regular policing duties in line with the administration’s security priorities.
The directive followed a high-level security meeting the President held with service chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to the President, VIPs who require armed escorts or protection will henceforth obtain such services from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as the federal government moves to address manpower shortages within the Nigeria Police Force.
The statement noted that many communities, particularly remote areas, currently suffer from inadequate police presence, a gap the government aims to close through redeployment and fresh recruitment.
Tinubu has already approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel. The federal government is also working with state governments to upgrade police training institutions nationwide.
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The security meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. 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.
