By Amofokhai Williams
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has confirmed the withdrawal of 11,566 officers previously assigned to Very Important Persons (VIPs).
This redeployment aims to strengthen frontline policing operations across the country, particularly as the yuletide season approaches.
The announcement came during a high-level strategic conference convened by Egbetokun at the Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Addressing senior officers, including Commissioners of Police and tactical commanders, the IGP emphasized that the withdrawal aligns with a presidential directive intended to optimize manpower for broader national security needs.
“This is essential to strengthening general policing operations, boosting manpower availability for frontline duties, and enhancing public safety,” Egbetokun stated, highlighting the policy’s role in addressing manpower shortages in critical areas.
The redeployed officers, drawn from VIP security details, will be immediately assigned to visible policing patrols, intelligence-gathering initiatives, and community engagement efforts.
This shift is part of a broader operational strategy outlined during the conference, which includes directives to deepen community policing through sustained citizen interactions, protect vulnerable communities with professionalism and adherence to the law, and scale up deployments to deter crime during the holiday period.
Egbetokun commended the senior officers for their “dedication, resilience, and sacrifices” in safeguarding the nation, underscoring the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to creating a “safe, secure, and peaceful environment” for all citizens, residents, and visitors.
The IGP’s address also reiterated the force’s focus on intelligence-driven operations to preempt threats, amid ongoing challenges such as banditry, kidnappings, and urban crime in various regions.
This withdrawal represents a tangible step in reforming police resource allocation, which has long been criticized for favoring elite protections over public needs.
