The Federal Government has ordered the withdrawal of no fewer than 100,000 police officers currently attached to politicians and other Very Important Persons, directing that they be reassigned to core policing and counter-insurgency operations nationwide.
The directive was issued by President Bola Tinubu during a high-level security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja with Service Chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies. The move is aimed at strengthening national security and boosting police presence across communities amid rising threats.
Under the new arrangement, VIPs who require escorts will be assigned armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, while police officers will focus on operational duties, crime-fighting, intelligence gathering, and counter-terrorism operations.
The development comes amid longstanding concerns over the diversion of a large portion of police manpower to private protection roles, leaving many communities under-policed. With an estimated 371,800 officers serving a population of over 236 million, security experts have repeatedly warned that the overstretched police force lacks adequate manpower for public safety responsibilities.
The President also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel, alongside a plan to upgrade police training facilities nationwide in collaboration with state governments.
Among those present at Sunday’s meeting were top military commanders, including the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services.
Sunday’s directive followed renewed concerns over security lapses, particularly after armed men abducted dozens of girls from St. Mary Private Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident has generated public outrage after reports emerged that soldiers deployed to guard the school were withdrawn shortly before the attack occurred. Local authorities said troops left around 3 a.m., and the bandits struck less than an hour later.
Niger State Governor Nasir Idris, who expressed shock over the circumstances, demanded a full investigation into the withdrawal of soldiers despite earlier intelligence alerts indicating a likely attack. Community leaders also confirmed that security personnel vacated the school moments before the attackers arrived.
In response, the military said it had launched a review to determine what led to the troop movement and whether there were operational lapses. Defence authorities assured that anyone found culpable would face consequences.
Meanwhile, troops under Operation Fansan Yamma have been ordered to escalate efforts to track down the armed group responsible for the kidnapping. Senior commanders who visited the scene of the attack over the weekend received briefings on ongoing joint rescue operations.
Field officers were directed to sustain pressure on the criminals and prevent them from regrouping or escaping with the victims. Security forces have set up multiple search corridors and intensified aerial and ground surveillance across the region.
Military authorities reaffirmed their commitment to securing schools and communities, promising that ongoing operations will continue until every abducted student is safely rescued.
The naira closed the week on a negative note, weakening by 0.99 per cent at the official foreign exchange market to ₦1,456.72 per dollar on Friday, down from ₦1,442.43 recorded the previous week. At the parallel market, the currency also slipped, trading between ₦1,470 and ₦1,475 per dollar. The official market witnessed a wider trading band, with the naira fluctuating between ₦1,440 and ₦1,460 as reduced inflows met stronger […]
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