President Bola Tinubu has directed that police officers assigned to guard VIPs be withdrawn so they can return to their primary policing duties.

The decision was taken during a security meeting he held on Sunday with the heads of the police, Air Force, army, and the DSS in Abuja.

Under the new policy, VIPs who need protection will now have to request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

“Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult.

“In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities.

“Already, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The federal government is also collaborating with the states to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.”

Sunday’s meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.

The directive marks one of the most significant security restructurings introduced by the Tinubu administration and is aimed at addressing long-standing concerns about the deployment of police resources in the country. For years, a large number of police officers have been assigned to political office holders, business executives, religious leaders, and other influential individuals, leaving many communities understaffed and vulnerable to criminal activities.

Security experts say returning these officers to regular policing duties could boost security coverage, especially in rural areas where police stations often operate with minimal staff and limited logistics. Some stations reportedly have only a handful of officers available to handle patrols, investigations, emergencies and administrative work, making them unable to adequately respond to rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery.

The decision is also expected to restore balance in the country’s policing system. While VIP protection has always been part of police operations, its scale in recent years has drawn criticism.

Analysts note that the Nigeria Police Force has fewer than 400,000 officers serving a population of more than 200 million people—far below the United Nations’ recommended police-to-citizen ratio. The withdrawal of officers from private assignments could therefore significantly increase manpower available for public safety.

In addition to manpower shortages, the police have also faced challenges with outdated infrastructure, inadequate equipment, and limited access to modern training. The federal government's plans to upgrade police training institutions are expected to improve the quality of new recruits and help officers adapt to evolving security threats. Enhanced training will cover areas such as intelligence gathering, digital forensics, community policing, counterterrorism, and rapid response tactics.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps will now take on expanded responsibility for VIP protection. Over the years, the NSCDC has grown into a key security agency involved in safeguarding critical national assets, crisis response and community-level protection. By assigning VIP duties to the corps, the government hopes to create a more efficient division of labour within the security architecture.

Reactions to the directive have begun to emerge from different sectors. Some civil society groups have welcomed the decision, describing it as long overdue. They argue that public safety should not be compromised because influential individuals occupy a large portion of the police workforce. Others say the success of the policy will depend on strong implementation, transparent deployment procedures, and cooperation between federal and state security bodies.

There are also expectations that the government will issue follow-up guidelines on how VIPs can request NSCDC protection, the categories of individuals eligible for such services, and the costs involved where applicable. Clarity on these processes will be crucial to avoid confusion and ensure the policy achieves its intended goals.

For ordinary Nigerians, the hope is that more officers on the streets and in local communities will translate into quicker response times, more visible patrols, and a stronger sense of security. Many communities battling bandit attacks and kidnappings have repeatedly appealed for more police presence, arguing that the lack of personnel emboldens criminals.

The administration maintains that the directive forms part of a broader effort to reform Nigeria’s security structure, improve coordination among security agencies, and strengthen law enforcement nationwide. As recruitment, training upgrades, and redeployment efforts commence, the coming months will determine how quickly the impact will be felt across the country.