President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to provide personal security for Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country.

The directive was announced in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, following a high-level security meeting held on Sunday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The meeting included the heads of the Army, Air Force, Police, and the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to the statement, police personnel previously attached to VIPs will now be redeployed to focus on core policing duties, especially in underserved communities battling rising insecurity.

Tinubu emphasized that VIPs who still require protection must now request armed security from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) instead of the police.

The president’s decision comes amid concerns that many police stations—particularly in remote areas—are understaffed, making it difficult to effectively protect lives and property.

To strengthen security nationwide, Tinubu has also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers, while the federal government works with states to upgrade police training facilities.

Those present at Sunday’s meeting included Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and DSS Director-General Tosin Adeola Ajayi.

The government says the move aims to increase police visibility, responsiveness, and capacity to tackle ongoing security challenges across Nigeria.