11,566 Police Officers Redeployed from VIP Duties to Frontline Security

11,566 Police Officers Redeployed from VIP Duties to Frontline Security

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has stated that the recent presidential directive to withdraw police personnel from VIP duties is a strategic move to reinforce frontline policing and protect vulnerable communities across Nigeria.

Addressing senior police commanders in Abuja on Thursday, Egbetokun emphasized that the decision was driven by the urgent need to deploy manpower where public safety demands are greatest.

He confirmed that a total of 11,566 personnel have been withdrawn from VIP protection and are being immediately reassigned to critical areas.

“The withdrawal is not a retreat from responsibility, but a reclamation of it,” the IGP declared. He explained that the redeployment will enable the force to strengthen security in rural and urban areas, enhance patrols, conduct intelligence-led operations, and improve rapid response to emerging threats.

Egbetokun linked the policy shift to recent security challenges, including mass abductions in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger states. While acknowledging that security agencies have been active, he admitted, “We may not be doing enough, but it is not that we are not working… as leaders, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard.”

The police chief highlighted recent operational successes, including the arrest of 8,202 suspects for various crimes and the rescue of 232 kidnapped victims. Recovered items include 249 firearms, nearly 21,000 rounds of ammunition, and 238 vehicles.

With the festive season approaching, Egbetokun directed all state commands to activate enhanced security measures, including expanded highway patrols, drone surveillance, and AI-driven policing strategies to ensure public safety during the peak travel period.

The move follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive on Sunday to reassign police officers from VIP security to core policing functions.