Police officers withdrawn from VIPs deployed in insecurity-prone communities, says FG

Mohammed Idris, minister of information and nationalorientation, says the Nigeria police force (NPF) has carried out a large-scaleredeployment of officers previously assigned VIP protection duties. According to the minister, the operatives have been sent tocommunities in Kwara, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and the FederalCapital Territory (FCT) to carry out “core community policing functions”. He said the redeployment is part of intensified securitymeasures under Operation Savannah Shield, aimed at protecting vulnerablecommunities in the north-central region, following recent terrorist attacks,including one in Kwara that claimed about 75 lives. President Bola Tinubu had condemned the Kwara killings as“beastly” and “heartless”, while directing full state resources againstperpetrators targeting civilians. Idris said enhanced deployments now include betterintelligence, rapid-response units, and increased visible policing aroundplaces of worship. The information minister said the president has reiteratedthat Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations remain fully Nigerian-led, whilewelcoming selective international cooperation on intelligence, surveillance,and reconnaissance from partners like the United States. “With heightened deployments now underway in at-riskcommunities, President Tinubu is demonstrating an unwavering commitment tosafeguarding Nigerian lives and upholding the fundamental right of all citizensto worship freely,” he said. “Enhanced security around places of worship, includingincreased visible presence around churches on Sundays, is being implemented inclose coordination with the local community and faith leaders. “Further strengthening the security architecture, theNigeria Police Force has executed a large-scale redeployment of officerspreviously assigned to VIP escort duties nationwide. “These personnel have been returned to core communitypolicing functions, delivering measurable improvements in security presenceacross Kwara, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and the Federal CapitalTerritory.” On November 23, 2025, Tinubu ordered the immediatewithdrawal of police officers attached to VIPs across the country.

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