By Kelvin Obambon
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has initiated a major overhaul of Nigeria’s internal security structure, approving the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers and ordering the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country.
The directive, announced on Sunday, November 23, 2025, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, followed a high-level security meeting chaired by President Tinubu in Abuja.
Under the new policy, the responsibility for armed protection of VIPs will shift entirely to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Police authorities have been mandated to deploy the withdrawn officers back to their primary duties of community policing.
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Mr. Onanuga stated that the measure is intended to address the long-standing issue of inadequate police presence in communities.
“In view of the current security challenges facing the country, the president is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities,” the statement read.
Mr. Onanuga further noted that the decision was necessary because “Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few police officers at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult.”
The presidential directive clarifies that any VIP wishing to retain armed protection must now seek it from the NSCDC. “VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC),” the directive confirmed.
The approval for the 30,000 additional officers is part of broader efforts to strengthen the nation’s internal security apparatus. The federal government is also engaged in collaborative work with state governments to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.
The security meeting where the directive was issued was attended by key security leaders, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Ajayi.
