President Bola Tinubu on Sunday ordered the withdrawal of police personnel from VIP security duties.
The President gave the order during a security meeting with service chiefs including the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant 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 Department of State Services, Tosin Adeola Ajayi held at Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The meeting comes following escalating incidents of abduction and security threats across the country.
President Tinubu directed that henceforth, police authorities will deploy their personnel to concentrate on their core police duties.
According to Tinubu, VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The President Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who made this disclosure through a statement issued on Sunday, said that shortly after the meeting notes 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.
“In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities.
“Already, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The federal government is also collaborating with the states to upgrade police training facilities nationwide,” he said.
