President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of policemen attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs).
He directed that they be redeployed to perform core policing functions in communities.
The measure, it was learnt, is part of broader effort to boost police presence in underserved communities, particularly in remote areas where police stations are inadequately staffed.
Tinubu gave the order during a high-level security meeting yesterday at the State House, Abuja. In attendance were Service chiefs, head of the secret police and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
They are Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; IGP Kayode Egbetokun and Department of State Service (DSS) Director-General Tosin Ajayi.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, the President emphasised that VIPs requiring protective services would henceforth obtain such support from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which will provide the armed personnel needed for their security.
The statement reads: “In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities.
“To support this shift, the President has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional personnel and is working with state governments to upgrade training facilities nationwide.
“The new deployment strategy is expected to strengthen frontline policing as the government intensifies efforts to address rising security threats across the country.”
