Tinubu Pulls Police Off VIP Duty: A Bold Shift to Strengthen Core Policing — What It Means for Nigeria’s Security Landscape
In a sweeping and potentially transformative directive, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to guard Very Important Persons (VIPs), redeploying them to focus squarely on their core duties. The move, announced during a high-level security meeting in Abuja, signals a firm commitment to reshaping Nigeria’s security architecture and re-prioritizing community safety over privilege.
A Strategic Reallocation of Resources
According to a statement by the president’s office, the decision comes on the back of a Sunday security summit, attended by key security chiefs including the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Tosin Ajayi.
At the heart of the directive is a redistribution of police presence: personnel who once provided exalted VIP protection will now be redirected to grassroots policing and frontline law enforcement. The objective is clear — bolster police visibility, especially in underserved and remote communities, to enhance public safety.
New Role for VIP Protection: NSCDC Takes Over
In an important reconfiguration, VIPs seeking security protection will no longer rely on the regular police force. Instead, they must now turn to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for well-armed, professional protection teams. By assigning responsibility for VIP security to a different agency, the administration aims to free the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) from the burden of non-core assignments and ensure their resources are maximized for public safety.
Addressing Gaps in Police Presence
One of the driving rationales behind Tinubu’s directive is the uneven distribution of policing capacity across Nigeria. The presidential office noted that many parts of the country — particularly remote and rural areas — suffer from a lack of adequate policing. By refocusing officers on their primary functions, the administration hopes to close these gaps, making policing more responsive and widespread.
Reinforcing the Force: Recruitment and Training Upgrades
President Tinubu is not just redirecting existing manpower — he’s also investing in expansion. He has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers, a move that could significantly bolster the force’s capacity nationwide.
Moreover, the federal government is collaborating with state governments to upgrade police training facilities across Nigeria. This dual investment — in both personnel and infrastructure — signals a long-term strategy to professionalize the police and ensure readiness to face modern security challenges.
Reforms Within the Force: From VIP Duty to Tactical Readiness
This is not the first time that calls have been made to realign police roles. Earlier this year, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered a reorganization of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), withdrawing PMF officers from VIP and private protection duties.
Egbetokun described the PMF as the "elite tactical arm" of Nigeria’s police — a unit designed to respond swiftly to riots, emergencies, and violent threats. He criticized the trend of escorting VIPs as a distortion of that purpose, weakening their operational effectiveness.
To institutionalize these changes, the IGP introduced several reforms:
Quarterly ethics and professionalism training for PMF officers.
Standby combat-ready units: each PMF squadron is now required to maintain a fully equipped tactical team at all times.
Command accountability: PMF commanders will be held responsible for the conduct and discipline of their personnel, with regular training, mentorship, inspections, and localized leadership.
These measures reflect a broader push to restore the PMF’s core identity, strengthening it as a dependable, professional strike force capable of responding to internal security threats.
The Bigger Picture: A Security Reset
President Tinubu’s directive comes at a time when Nigeria faces persistent and complex security challenges — from banditry and communal violence to terrorism and kidnapping. By repositioning the police to focus on their foundational duties, the administration aims to optimize resources, improve trust in policing, and ensure that strategic units like the PMF are ready and available when they are most needed.
Beyond resource allocation, the reforms also carry symbolic significance: VIPs will no longer be prioritized over ordinary citizens in terms of state protection. This could serve as a powerful signal from the presidency — that national security is not just for the elite, but for all Nigerians.
Risks and Questions Ahead
While the plan is bold, it is not without potential risks:
1. Transition Risk: Redeploying thousands of officers from VIP protection to community policing may create temporary gaps or security lapses if not well-managed.
2. NSCDC Capacity: The NSCDC, now tasked with VIP protection, must ensure it has the personnel, training, and resources to effectively take on this role.
3. Recruitment Quality: Bringing in 30,000 new officers is ambitious, but the success will largely depend on training, vetting, and integration into existing structures.
4. Sustaining Reforms: Quarterly training, accountability frameworks, and fully equipped tactical teams require consistent funding, oversight, and institutional commitment.
Conclusion
President Bola Tinubu’s decision to withdraw police officers from VIP duties marks a transformational shift in Nigeria’s security policy — one that emphasizes equitable policing, strengthened internal security, and resource realignment. By redirecting law enforcement priorities, approving mass recruitment, and upgrading training infrastructure, the administration is staking a claim on long-term reform.
If successfully implemented, this move could redefine how policing works in Nigeria: not as a service reserved for the powerful, but as a force truly focused on protecting all citizens and defending the integrity of the nation.
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