Yemi Obafemi
As part of renewed efforts to tackle insecurity across the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of police officers currently assigned to provide security for Very Important Persons (VIPs). The withdrawn officers will be redeployed to perform core policing duties nationwide.
The directive followed a high-level security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja, attended by service chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, VIPs requiring personal protection going forward will now obtain armed security personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
“Henceforth, police authorities will deploy officers to concentrate on their core police duties,” the statement said. The president noted that several rural and remote communities currently suffer from inadequate police presence, making effective protection and law enforcement difficult.
To strengthen security nationwide, President Tinubu has already approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The federal government is also partnering with state governments to upgrade police training facilities across the country.
Sunday’s security meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General 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 DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
