Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that the policy withdrawing police protection from VIPs and VVIPs be strictly enforced nationwide, a move he says is necessary given the country’s worsening security challenges, including kidnappings and terrorism.
Announced at the opening of the latest Federal Executive Council session in Abuja, the president mandated immediate redeployment of police officers from VIP duties back to core policing roles. Under the directive, protection for former VIPs will be handled by other security agencies, notably the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The government also clarified that exceptions will only be allowed if justified and cleared by the Inspector-General of Police. Any VIP wishing to retain police protection must seek special clearance through formal channels.
This policy shift is part of a broader effort to reallocate security resources to address nationwide threats to public safety rather than concentrate them on individuals, in view of limited manpower and rising insecurity across Nigeria.
