The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said Thursday that 11,566 police officers who had been guarding Very Important Persons (VIPs) across Nigeria have been withdrawn and sent to frontline duties to help protect communities.
Egbetokun told senior officers the move followed a presidential order to boost security in places that have too few policemen.
“In line with the President’s directive, we have withdrawn a total of 11,566 personnel from VIP protection. These officers are being redeployed to critical policing duties immediately,” he said.
The pullback came after President Bola Tinubu held a security meeting and urged that more police be put where they are needed most.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga was quoted as saying the president warned 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 IGP added that the redeployment would strengthen patrols, rapid response and protection for vulnerable areas. “The withdrawal is not a retreat from responsibility, but a reclamation of it,” he said.
The announcement also ties into wider steps by the government to tackle rising violence, including orders to recruit more police and to retrain officers for frontline work.
Reporters say the move will test how quickly the force can replace VIP protection and get extra officers into towns and rural stations.
Some commentators welcomed the plan as sensible, while others warned it must be followed by real action. “Withdrawal of police from VIPs is a good idea … but it will only begin and end up as a statement,” wrote former senator Shehu Sani on X.
