Nigeria’s Tinubu redirects police from VIPs to combat rising kidnappings, orders 30,000 new recruits
The move affecting approximately 100,000 officers comes days after more than 300 schoolchildren from St. Mary's Private Catholic School in Papiri, were abducted in Niger State.
The Nigerian government has ordered the withdrawal of all police officers assigned to protect Very Important Persons (VIPs) and politicians, redirecting them to frontline security duties amid a surge in kidnappings and violent attacks across the country.
The move affecting approximately 100,000 officers comes days after more than 300 schoolchildren from St. Mary's Private Catholic School in Papiri, were abducted in Niger State.
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Speaking during a security briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Sunday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the redeployment was necessary to strengthen policing across communities and bolster efforts against terrorists. He also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel to reinforce the Nigeria Police Force.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers currently providing security for Very Important Persons in the country. 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,” the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said.
Onanuga confirmed that VIPs requiring protection would now be assigned armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps instead of the police. He added that the federal government is collaborating with states to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.
The abduction of over 300 students has intensified national concern over the country’s worsening security situation. However, the Defence Headquarters, through Major General Michael Onoja, said it was investigating troop movements and assured that operations to rescue the abducted students remain ongoing.
Major General Warrah Idris, Theatre Commander of Operation Fansan Yamma, directed troops to “maintain overwhelming pressure until the students are safely recovered.”
“The bandits are clearly feeling the heat of our operations and will find no safe haven,” Idris said.
Meanwhile, fifty schoolgirls escaped captivity and reunited with their families, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger State. However, Rev. Bulus Yohanna confirmed that most of them including 236 pupils and 12 staff members, remain in captivity.
The directive to redeploy the officers has also sparked mixed reactions. Former federal lawmaker Senator Shehu Sani expressed scepticism, tweeting, “Withdrawal of police from VIPs is a good idea and a good policy statement in view of the nation’s urgent security needs, but it will only begin and end up as a statement.”
In contrast, former presidential media aide Bashir Ahmad praised the move, writing, “President Bola Tinubu has directed the removal of police officers who are currently assigned to protect VIPs. From this point onward, law enforcement agencies will allocate their resources to focus primarily on their essential policing responsibilities. This is so good coming from the Presidency.”
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) had previously issued a directive on April 24, 2025, to withdraw Mobile Police officers from VIP protection, but past orders have largely gone unimplemented. The European Union Agency for Asylum noted in November 2025 that the Nigerian Police Force has 371,800 officers serving a population of about 236.7 million, with many deployed to VIP duties rather than community policing, leaving remote areas severely underserved.
In Kwara State, 38 worshippers abducted from Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, were released following a coordinated operation involving the DSS, Nigerian Army, Police and local vigilantes. Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Rafiu Ajakaye, credited the rescue to “the hands-on approach of President Bola Tinubu,” who postponed his G20 Summit trip to personally supervise the efforts.
The surge in abductions has prompted the closure of all public and private secondary schools and most tertiary institutions in Kebbi State. Col. Ahmed Usman, Special Adviser on Security to Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, criticised the closures, terming them ineffective and calling for strategies to address root causes such as youth empowerment and dialogue.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) described the wave of attacks as a possible “organised, choreographed and orchestrated” campaign by fifth columnists.
“Mr President has taken ownership. He remains on top of the situation and will deploy the instrument and powers of his office to ensure that land, property and life are protected in Nigeria,” Deputy National Organising Secretary Nze Chidi Duru said.
Former Osun State Assembly member Olatunbosun Oyintiloye called for investigations into internal sabotage within the security apparatus.
“Saboteurs within the system must be flushed out before they cause more damage. Distressing reports are suggesting internal sabotage and external collaboration. That must be decisively addressed,’ he said.
Pope Leo XIV expressed “immense sadness” over the kidnappings, calling for the immediate release of all hostages.
“Let us pray for these brothers and sisters of ours and that churches and schools may always and everywhere remain places of safety and hope,” the Pope said.
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