In a sweeping move aimed at strengthening frontline policing, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recruitment of thousands of new police officers while ordering the withdrawal of escorts attached to VIPs across the country. The decision, announced after a high-level security briefing, marks one of the most dramatic restructuring attempts within the Nigeria Police Force in recent years.
The Presidency says the reshuffle is intended to redirect manpower to critical security operations, reduce the strain on overstretched police commands, and ensure more officers are available for community-based policing and rapid response duties.
Under the directive, VIPs—including politicians, businessmen, socialites, and certain government officials—will lose a significant portion of their assigned police escorts. Only essential individuals, such as judges and high-risk state officials, will retain minimal protection. The Nigeria Police Force has already begun compiling lists of all officers currently attached to private individuals and corporate entities.
The move has sparked widespread debate. Supporters applaud Tinubu for taking a bold step many previous administrations avoided, arguing that excessive VIP protection has deprived the public of much-needed security presence. Critics, however, fear that reducing VIP protection in a volatile climate could expose high-profile citizens to danger or push them to seek private security arrangements that may be improperly regulated.
The decision comes amid rising insecurity—kidnappings, cybercrime, armed robbery, and political violence have all worsened in recent months. Analysts say the deployment of more officers to active duty could help restore public confidence in policing, especially in areas where police stations are understaffed or non-functional.
Additionally, Tinubu has approved an accelerated police recruitment programme that aims to add thousands of officers nationwide. This initiative includes upgrading police colleges, enforcing stricter training standards, and enhancing welfare packages. The goal, according to the Presidency, is to professionalise the force and modernise policing through technology, intelligence gathering, and community engagement.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has welcomed the move but warned that recruitment must align with capacity, discipline, and ethics. Civil society organisations also caution that withdrawing escorts without strengthening police mobility, response time, and equipment may limit the intended impact.
The shake-up signals a changing philosophy on internal security—one that prioritizes national safety over elite privilege. Whether the reforms translate into measurable results will depend on execution, funding, and the police institution’s ability to embrace change.