Tinubu Orders Withdrawal of Police Guards From VIPs, Assigns NSCDC as Replacement

P President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons across the country, in a major shake-up of security protocol aimed at strengthening policing in communities. The directive was announced on Sunday by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga following a high-level security meeting in Abuja.

According to the presidency, police personnel currently serving as VIP escorts will now be redeployed to core policing duties nationwide. The government says the decision is part of broader efforts to address the shortage of officers in many rural and remote areas, where low police presence has made it difficult to adequately respond to security threats.

Under the new arrangement, VIPs who still require armed protection will be expected to request security details from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. The NSCDC is now set to take over responsibility for VIP protection previously handled by the Nigeria Police Force.

Onanuga explained that President Tinubu is prioritising improved police visibility as Nigeria continues to confront serious security challenges. He noted that the president has already approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel, alongside an ongoing partnership with state governments to upgrade training facilities across the country.

Sunday’s meeting was attended by 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 Department of State Services, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.