President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to guard Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country, ordering that they be redeployed to strengthen core policing responsibilities nationwide.
According to a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on November 23, 2025, the directive was issued during a high-level security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja, attended by service chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS). Under the new policy, VIPs requiring security protection will now be expected to request armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The President expressed concern over the shortage of police personnel in many communities, particularly in remote areas where police stations often operate with limited manpower. He noted that boosting police presence at the grassroots has become critical in addressing the nation’s current security challenges.
To improve capacity, President Tinubu has already approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers, with the federal government collaborating with state governments to upgrade police training facilities across the country.
Those present at the Abuja meeting included the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. 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.
