President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to immediately withdraw all police personnel engaged in Very Important Persons (VIP) protection services across the country.
The directive is part of the outcome of a strategic meeting President Tinubu had with security chiefs on Sunday.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga indicates that “henceforth, police authorities will deploy them to concentrate on their core police duties.”
Among the security chiefs that met with the President are the Chief of Army Staff, Lt 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.
According to the Presidential directive, VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult.
Onanuga’s statement states that “ 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.
