President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a bold directive to withdraw police officers assigned to protect Very Important Persons (VIPs) across Nigeria, redeploying them instead to “core policing” responsibilities.
The order was given during a high‑level security meeting in Abuja, where key national security chiefs, including the Inspector‑General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, were present.
According to a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the reassignment is driven by rising security challenges across the country and a need to strengthen police presence in underserved communities. Under the new arrangement, VIPs who still desire personal protection will no longer rely on police but must request “well‑armed personnel” from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) instead.
The president’s decision comes alongside approval for the recruitment of 30,000 new police officers, part of a broader effort to reinforce Nigeria’s security architecture.
Background and Context
The shift is not entirely unprecedented. Earlier this year, in April 2025, IGP Kayode Egbetokun ordered the immediate withdrawal of Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel, commonly known as MOPOL, from VIPs and private individuals nationwide. He argued that their deployment to guard duties had “distorted” the unit’s function and undermined its operational effectiveness.
According to police leadership, the PMF’s core mandate is to act as a rapid-response tactical force, to address riots, emergencies, and violent threats, not to serve as personal bodyguards. To realign the force with its mission, the IGP also introduced reforms such as quarterly ethics and professionalism training, as well as standing orders for fully equipped, combat-ready units in each squadron.
The NPF (Nigeria Police Force) has reiterated that there is “no going back” on this withdrawal policy. A special committee was previously set up to oversee the transition, and the force is reportedly establishing a “Quick Intervention Squad” to fill the gap left by the redeployed PMF personnel.
Implications and Controversy
The move by Tinubu has stirred controversy. Critics argue that removing police from VIPs entirely may expose elites to security risks, especially given Nigeria’s volatile threat environment.
Some see it as politically motivated or symbolic, claiming VIP security remains a status symbol rather than a genuine necessity. Others welcome the redirection of resources: more police on the streets could translate into greater security for ordinary citizens rather than concentrated protection for the privileged few.
Supporters of the decision highlight that the reassignment could help address chronic understaffing in regular policing, particularly in remote or high-risk areas where citizens have inadequate police presence.
Redeploying officers from VIP duties, they argue, is both a reform and a reprioritization, placing national security urgency over personal privilege.
Additionally, the plan to inject 30,000 new officers into the force suggests the administration is serious about enhancing policing capacity, not merely withdrawing guards for optics. Collaborating with state governments to improve police training centers, as mentioned in the presidential statement, underscores a commitment to long-term reform.
Analysis
Tinubu’s directive can be seen as part of a broader security reform strategy. By reassigning VIP‑guarding officers, the government aims to reduce the distortion of policing resources and deepen the reach of the police force into communities that need protection most.
It is also a political signal: shifting away from a system that privileges the elite underscores a populist or reformist security message.
However, success hinges on implementation. For this reform to yield real gains, newly recruited officers must be properly trained, supervised, and deployed. There’s also the question of whether NSCDC — now tasked with protecting VIPs — has the capacity and legitimacy to do so without becoming politicized or overstretched.
Moreover, detractors may continue to question whether everyday Nigerians will actually benefit from the redeployed force or if the policy will simply reshuffle power dynamics without improving ground-level security.
Conclusion
President Tinubu’s order to withdraw police guards from VIPs marks a controversial but potentially transformative step in Nigeria’s policing landscape.
Reallocating officers back to core law enforcement duties could strengthen national security, but critics warn of implementation risks and justify concerns over elite protection.
The policy’s success will depend not only on recruitment and redeployment but on whether ordinary Nigerians feel safer on their streets, not just in high-security enclaves.