President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his decision to withdraw police officers from VIP protection duties, directing Olubunmi Tunji‑Ojo, the Minister of Interior, to coordinate with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to immediately replace withdrawn escorts.
At a Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, Tinubu emphasised that any VIP still requiring protection should now rely on the civil-defence personnel rather than the police — a move he said is necessary as the country grapples with increasing insecurity, kidnappings and banditry.
The shift is part of a broader strategy to refocus the police on core duties like community patrols, crime prevention and public safety — particularly in remote, underserved areas.
With the reallocation, Tinubu has also approved the recruitment of thousands of additional police officers to bridge manpower gaps and bolster national security coverage.
