In a sweeping move aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s security architecture, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to protect Very Important Persons (VIPs), redirecting them back to frontline policing duties. Simultaneously, he has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers and committed to upgrading training facilities, in a bid to bolster public safety across the country.
A Strategic Shift: Why This Matters
At the heart of this policy overhaul is a fundamental change in how security resources are allocated. For years, a significant portion of police manpower has been dedicated to guarding high-profile individuals—politicians, business leaders, and other elite figures. By pulling these officers off VIP duty, the presidency aims to free up thousands of policemen to serve in communities that arguably need them more.
According to the presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, many remote areas in Nigeria are underserved by the police force. These are places where police stations operate with skeletal manpower, making law enforcement and protection of citizens extremely difficult. The redeployment is thus framed not just as a reallocation of resources, but as a reorientation toward community-centered policing.
How VIP Protection Will Work Going Forward
Under the new directive:
- VIPs who want armed protection will no longer rely on the police for their escorts.
- Instead, they will now be required to request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
- This change formalizes the role of the NSCDC in VIP security and reduces the burden on the Nigeria Police Force.
Reinforcing the Police: 30,000 New Recruits & Training Upgrades
To ensure that the redeployment of officers actually strengthens policing, Tinubu has also approved a major recruitment drive. Some of the key elements:
- 30,000 Additional Officers: This is one of the largest single expansions of the police in recent years.
- Training Facility Upgrades: The federal government plans to partner with state governments to modernize and enhance police training academies nationwide.
- Focus on Quality and Deployment: The goal isn’t just to hire more officers but to deploy them strategically, especially in under-policed communities.
High-Level Backing: Security Chiefs on Board
This decision was not made in isolation. The directive came out of a high-level security meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, attended by:
- The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu
- The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke
- The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun
- The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Tosin Adeola Ajayi
Having these top security figures aligned suggests this is a coordinated, strategic reform—not just a symbolic gesture.
Bigger Picture: What This Could Mean for Nigeria
- Enhanced Police Presence in Vulnerable Communities
- With more officers freed up and new recruits on the way, communities—especially in remote or high-risk regions—could see improved law enforcement coverage.
- This could help combat rising crime, banditry, kidnappings, and other security threats.
- Stronger Public Trust
- By shifting police resources away from elite protection and toward public service, the government may boost public confidence in law enforcement.
- Citizens who have long felt neglected by the security apparatus may feel more prioritized.
- Institutional Strengthening
- Upgrading training facilities is not just about numbers; it’s about building a more professional, well-prepared police force.
- Better-trained officers could improve response times, investigative capacity, and community policing.
- Challenges to Watch
- Recruiting 30,000 officers is a huge undertaking. Success will depend on effective vetting, training, and deployment.
- There is a risk that without proper oversight, some new hires may be underqualified or poorly managed.
- The NSCDC must also ramp up its capacity to handle increased VIP protection requests without compromising its other duties.
