Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police (IGP), has ordered the withdrawal of 11,566 police officers previously deployed to Very Important Persons (VIPs) and special protection duties nationwide, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive issued on November 23.
Announcing the development at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Egbetokun said the affected officers have been reassigned to frontline policing duties in what he described as a renewed effort to enhance national security.
He emphasised that the move was not an abandonment of the police’s responsibility to protect dignitaries, but a strategic decision to strengthen operational capacity across the country.
The police chief dismissed claims circulating on social media that more than 120,000 officers were attached to private individuals, describing them as completely false.
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He noted that the presidential directive provided the actual figure of 11,566 officers, adding that such misinformation fuels unnecessary public confusion.
“These claims are lies. How many police officers do we even have in Nigeria?” he queried.
Egbetokun acknowledged that previous attempts to withdraw police personnel from VIP security had been unsuccessful due to political pressure and resistance from influential individuals.
This time, however, he insisted that the clear backing of President Tinubu ensures full compliance.
He stressed that no governor, associate or family member would be able to influence the implementation of the directive, saying:
“No governor, no friend, no family member will pressure me again. It is a presidential directive”, he added.
According to the IGP, the redeployment of the officers is expected to significantly boost police presence and response capacity nationwide, particularly at a time when the force is grappling with manpower shortages.
He assured that welfare and adequate support would remain a priority, especially for officers posted to rural and high-risk areas.
The redeployed personnel, he said, would be strategically positioned in areas where their presence is most needed to deter crime and strengthen security visibility.
Egbetokun also gave an update on recent police operations across the country, saying commands recorded notable achievements since the last operational briefing.
He disclosed that 822 suspects were arrested for offences ranging from armed robbery and kidnapping to homicide.
Within the same period, the police recovered 249 firearms, 20,989 rounds of ammunition and 38 stolen vehicles. A total of 232 kidnapped victims were also rescued.
With the festive season approaching, the IGP said police expect increased travel and a possible rise in criminal activity.
He revealed that a nationwide deployment plan has been activated to ensure safety during the period.
“This includes reinforced highway patrols, intensified intelligence-led operations, surveillance drone deployment and joint security activities across major routes and border corridors”, he stated.
On school safety, Egbetokun reaffirmed that the School Protection Squad remains operational and has successfully prevented several attempted attacks despite recent incidents.
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He stressed that even a single attack on a school is unacceptable and vowed that the force would not relent in protecting vulnerable communities.
He also confirmed that an investigation has been ordered into the most recent school-related security breach to ensure accountability and prevent a recurrence.
The IGP warned against attempts to politicise the presidential directive or spread misinformation.
He said all guidelines and safeguards relating to the implementation would be communicated through official channels.
Egbetokun urged Nigerians to recognise the ongoing efforts of the police, highlighting that the force continues to record significant arrests and recoveries across the country on a daily basis.
