Tinubu insists VIP Police Escorts must go, demands full compliance

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his directive ordering the withdrawal of police officers attached to very important persons (VIPs) across the country, insisting that the command must be carried out without exceptions except where expressly approved.

The President restated his position on Wednesday at the opening of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, warning that his order of November 23 still stands and must be implemented to the letter.

Tinubu had earlier instructed the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately pull out officers from VIP escorts and redeploy them to communities where policing gaps continue to expose Nigerians to violence.

The directive followed a high-level security meeting that included the service chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS). According to the President, the growing cases of banditry, kidnapping and rural attacks make it imperative to strengthen police manpower in underserved communities.

Addressing cabinet members, Tinubu expressed displeasure over reports of slow compliance, mandating National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Police Affairs Ibrahim Gaidam, and the IGP to ensure full enforcement.

He stressed that the Nigerian Police Force was established primarily to protect citizens, not to serve as bodyguards to privileged individuals.

The President further instructed the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to fast-track the deployment of personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to replace withdrawn police officers for VIP protection where necessary. He noted that the NSCDC is properly trained and armed for such assignments.

“If you have any problem because of the nature of your assignments, please contact the IGP and get my clearance,” Tinubu said, insisting that any exception must come directly from him.

He added that the country’s security challenges demand that every available police officer be mobilised for national duty rather than tied to individuals.

Tinubu maintained that beefing up police visibility remains a key part of the administration’s strategy to protect vulnerable Nigerians and respond more effectively to threats nationwide.

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