Nigerian President directs Police officers guarding VIPs to return to core duties and authorizes recruitment to strengthen national security capacity.
Nigerian government has launched a sweeping overhaul of police deployment, directing officers assigned to guard prominent individuals to return to frontline security duties as part of a wider push to reinforce public safety across the country.
President Bola Tinubu issued the directive during a high-level security meeting in Abuja on Sunday November 23, 2025, attended by the Heads of the Army, Air Force, Police, and the Department of State Services (DSS). The decision marks one of the most significant adjustments to Nigeria’s security structure in years, reflecting growing concerns over inadequate policing in many communities—particularly rural and remote areas.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the shift would free police personnel from Very Important Persons (VIPs), protection roles so they can refocus on essential law enforcement responsibilities. He added that Nigerians requiring personal security in the future would be advised to request armed escorts through the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), rather than the police.
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According to the Presidency, the move comes amid persistent insecurity, including banditry, kidnappings, and attacks on villages. Many police stations, especially in isolated areas, operate with limited manpower, often leaving communities vulnerable to criminal groups. Officials say redirecting officers from VIP duties will bolster the police presence where it is urgently needed.
President Tinubu also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel in what the government describes as an effort to strengthen the force’s capacity nationwide. Federal authorities are working with state governments to upgrade police training facilities, with the goal of preparing new recruits to meet evolving security challenges.
Security analysts have long warned that Nigerian Police Force, one of the most under-resourced in Africa relative to population size, struggles to respond effectively to threats across the country’s vast territory. The government’s decision to increase recruitment and redeploy officers is seen as an attempt to close significant operational gaps.
Sunday’s meeting brought together senior security figures, including Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and DSS Director-General Tosin Adeola Ajayi. Their closed-door discussions centered on strategies to boost coordination among security agencies and enhance community-level protection.
The Presidency said further measures are expected in the coming months as authorities work to rebuild public confidence and strengthen Nigeria’s broader security architecture.
