- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu had ordered the withdrawal of police officers from VIPs 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.
This is coming under the heels of the waves of abduction and security threats across the country.
Tinubu at meeting declared that the police authorities will henceforth deploy their personnel to concentrate on their core police duties rather than guarding VIPs.
In their stead, Tinubu said VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
While also confirming the President’s new directive, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that he has also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers nationwide.
“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,” Onanuga said.