Olushola Omogbehin
As one of the strategies of the federal government to end terrorism in Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers providing security for Very Important Persons (VIPs) in the country.
This was disclosed by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga after a security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja, attended by Service Chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services.
According to Bayo Onanuga, VIPs that need protection will henceforth be assigned armed operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps instead of the police.
“Henceforth, police authorities will deploy them to concentrate on their core police duties. In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities.’’
This is because about 100,000 policemen that are supposed to be protecting the public are currently attached to VIPs and politicians across the country.
This decision was taken following report that the security officers guarding St. Mary Private Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, were withdrawn shortly before the school was attacked.
He also disclosed that the President has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel and that the Federal Government is working with states to improve police training facilities nationwide.
Among those in attendance during the meeting on Sunday are: Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
