In a significant move to reform national security operations, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of all police officers assigned to VIP security duties.
The presidential directive was issued at the security meeting President Tinubu held on Sunday with the police, Air Force, army chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, in Abuja.
The decision aims to reassign thousands of police personnel from protecting individuals to core law enforcement duties, thereby bolstering public safety for all citizens.
A statement from the Presidency outlined the policy's objective, noting that the measure is designed to "deploy our security resources more efficiently and enhance protection for the general populace."
Security analysts have long argued that the widespread use of police for private protection drains manpower from understaffed police formations, hampering their ability to respond to communal crimes and civil unrest.
This move is expected to free up a substantial number of officers for patrols, investigations, and rapid response units.
“This is a pivotal step towards restoring the core mandate of the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement added, signaling a major shift in the nation's security architecture.
