President Bola Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police personnel from VIP security duties.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, 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.
The meeting comes on the heels of the waves of abduction and security threats across the country.
President Tinubu, according to Onanuga, directed that henceforth, police authorities will deploy their personnel in their core police duties.
According to him, VIPs who want police protection would now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The president noted that many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, had 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.
