By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
REDEPLOYMENT OF police officers previously assigned to protect Nigeria’s supposed Very Important Personalities has commenced after being recalled to their bases and reassigned to routine community policing duties, as the presidency moves to bolster police presence in underserved areas.
The directive, issued by President Bola Tinubu recently, aims to strengthen frontline law enforcement and ensure officers focus on core policing responsibilities rather than VIP protection.
Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, confirmed that the order emerged during a security meeting held at the State House in Abuja.
Attendees included the Inspector-General of Police, the chiefs of army and air staff, and the director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Onanuga noted that the redeployed officers would be assigned to conventional policing duties within communities, while VIPs requiring armed protection will now request personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The presidency emphasised that the measure addresses long-standing manpower shortages in many regions.
“Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult,” the statement said.
The directive is also intended to ensure police officers concentrate on their core duties and provide a stronger visible presence in areas previously underserved.
A memo issued by the Special Protection Unit (SPU) and signed by Neji Veronica, commanding officer of SPU Base 16 in Lagos, instructed all officers attached to VIPs and beats to return to base immediately.
The memorandum, shared by the presidency on X, mandated reporting before the close of business on November 24 and attendance at a scheduled lecture parade, with records taken from the nominal roll.
“Sequel to the directive of Mr President and C-in-C of the armed forces on the withdrawal of Police personnel attached to VIPs, the Commanding Officer directs with immediate effect the withdrawal of all personnel of SPU Base 16 attached to VIPs/Beats across the federation back to Base,” the memo stated.
“You are all warned to report back before the end of today Monday, 24/11/2025 and all to attend the Lecture Parade tomorrow. Attendance shall be taken from the nominal roll. This is for your information and strict compliance.”
The meeting at the State House brought together top security officials, including Waidi Shaibu, chief of army staff; Sunday Kelvin Aneke, chief of air staff; Kayode Egbetokun,the IGP; and Tosin Adeola Ajayi, director-general of the DSS.
Discussions focused on strengthening law enforcement coordination and improving public safety nationwide.
The presidency stressed that the withdrawal of officers from VIP protection forms part of a broader security strategy aimed at increasing police effectiveness in communities.
By reallocating personnel to core policing duties, authorities intend to ensure faster responses to incidents, improved patrol coverage, and stronger preventive measures against crime.
The new policy instructs that VIPs who still require security support must coordinate directly with the NSCDC, which has the mandate and capacity to provide armed protection without diverting regular police officers from community duties.
The presidency highlighted this shift as critical to restoring operational focus to the police and ensuring equitable security coverage across the country.
To reinforce the initiative, President Tinubu approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional officers nationwide.
The government also announced plans to upgrade training facilities in partnership with state governments, with the aim of preparing new recruits for deployment to communities that require heightened security presence.
Officials explained that the redeployment responds to historical challenges within the police force, including understaffing and uneven distribution of personnel.
Many rural stations have operated with minimal officers, limiting their ability to respond effectively to emergencies or deter criminal activity. The presidency said redeploying officers to core policing roles will enhance visibility, coverage, and overall public safety.
The SPU memo stressed that compliance with the directive is mandatory, warning officers to adhere strictly to reporting requirements and participate in all scheduled training and lecture parades.
The move is intended to prevent any lapse in operational accountability while officers transition from VIP duties to community policing assignments.
The redeployment has immediate nationwide effect, covering all officers previously attached to VIPs and beats.
The presidency clarified that this measure is part of a coordinated effort to improve national security, ensure frontline law enforcement is prioritised, and maximise the impact of limited policing resources.
Bayo Onanuga also noted that the policy shift reflects the administration’s commitment to enhancing police efficiency and visibility.
By removing officers from VIP protection roles, the government expects increased responsiveness in high-risk and underserved areas, including rural communities that have historically been vulnerable to criminal attacks.
The recruitment of 30,000 additional officers is coupled with an expansion of training facilities, designed to equip new personnel with the skills required for modern policing challenges.
The presidency said collaboration with state governments will ensure that recruits are deployed effectively to areas where they are most needed.
Authorities emphasised that VIPs seeking protection under the new arrangement must now formally request NSCDC personnel.
This protocol is intended to streamline security provision, freeing the police to concentrate on protecting citizens at large rather than providing private escorts.
Also, officials noted that the redeployment aligns with the administration’s broader strategy to improve national security infrastructure and law enforcement performance.
By redistributing personnel to community policing roles, the government said it seeks to reinforce public confidence in the police, strengthen deterrence against crime, and improve overall safety standards.
The SPU memo also reiterated the importance of operational discipline and accountability, warning that attendance at the lecture parade would be strictly recorded.
Officers were reminded that failure to comply with the presidential directive could result in administrative consequences, underscoring the seriousness of the redeployment policy.
The presidency affirmed that recalling police officers from VIP assignments and redeploying them to community policing duties is a decisive step toward strengthening law enforcement capacity, ensuring equitable security coverage, and improving public safety across Nigeria.
