…To be replaced by Civil Defence Staff
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday, November 23, 2025, ordered the withdrawal of police officers currently providing security for Very Important Persons (VIPs) in the country.
This is as the President has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers, just as the federal government is also collaborating with the states to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.
Following the presidential directive, police authorities will deploy the affected officers to concentrate on their core police duties.
The directive was issued by President Tinubu at the security meeting he held with the Army, Air Force, police chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja.
According to the Presidential directive, VIPs who want police protection will now request for well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
A statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said that many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult.
The statement further stated in view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities.
Sunday’s meeting was attended by 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 Department of State Services, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
