President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police personnel attached to VIPs, directing that the officers be reassigned to frontline policing to strengthen national security.

The directive followed an extended security meeting on Sunday at the State House with the Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the DSS.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said the decision was part of broader measures to curb rising security threats across the country. He stated that police officers would now focus strictly on “core police duties,” while VIPs who need armed protection must request personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Tinubu noted that many remote communities lack sufficient police presence, hindering effective protection. Boosting police visibility nationwide, he said, has now become a top priority.

To support this shift, the President also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers, with plans to upgrade training facilities in collaboration with state governments.

Those at the security meeting included Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and DSS Director-General Tosin Adeola Ajayi.

Earlier on X, Tinubu said he convened the security chiefs to review the latest situation reports and take decisive steps to stabilise troubled regions.

“I am receiving continuous briefings and have directed our security services to move with speed, precision, and absolute resolve,” he wrote.
“As President, I am fully committed to the security of all Nigerians. Those who threaten the peace and security of our nation will face the full weight of the law. Nigeria will prevail.”