Abuja — In a decisive move to recalibrate the role of the Nigeria Police Force, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from Very Important Persons (VIPs). The order came amid a security meeting with service chiefs at the State House in Abuja, signaling a renewed commitment to reform and refocus the force on its core constitutional responsibilities.
The directive, confirmed by the Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, represents a key component of Tinubu’s broader police-reform agenda. According to the minister, the government will also push for amendments to the Police Act and intensify efforts to develop community policing strategies.
Under the new order, officers from the Police Mobile Force (PMF) — an elite tactical unit — will be withdrawn from non-core duties such as escort and guard assignments for private individuals and VIPs. The reorganisation seeks to restore the PMF to its foundational role: responding quickly to riots, emergencies, and violent threats.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, speaking at a conference with PMF squadron commanders at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, underscored the urgency of the reform. He warned that the diversion of PMF officers to VIP duties has weakened the unit’s effectiveness.
As part of the reorganisation, the IGP announced a package of reforms, including:
- Quarterly training on ethics and professionalism for PMF personnel
- A mandatory standby of fully equipped, combat-ready units in each squadron for rapid tactical response
- Holding PMF commanders accountable for the conduct of their units
In his remarks, Egbetokun thanked President Tinubu for his support and urged commanders to embrace the reforms as a “professional and moral responsibility.”
Security experts have largely welcomed the move, noting that redirecting PMF resources to frontline security operations could enhance Nigeria’s capacity to tackle rising internal threats.
However, some observers caution that the success of the policy will depend on robust enforcement and clear guidelines to prevent unauthorized deployments in the future.
President Tinubu’s directive marks a turning point in his broader vision for a “renewed, highly effective” Nigeria Police Force – one that prioritises constitutional duties and community engagement over personal protection details.