President Bola Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of about 100,000 police officers attached to VIPs and politicians. The officers will be redeployed to frontline policing and counter-insurgency operations to boost security nationwide.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser, Bayo Onanuga, VIPs who need protection will now be guarded by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, not the police. Tinubu also approved the recruitment of 30,000 new police personnel and upgrades to training facilities across the country.
The decision follows years of criticism over the high number of police assigned to VIPs while many communities lack adequate security. A recent EU report noted that Nigeria’s 371,800 police officers are overstretched, especially with so many diverted to VIP protection.
At a security meeting in Abuja, Tinubu met with Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the DSS Director-General to review national security challenges.
Troops’ Withdrawal Before Niger School Attack Under Probe
The President’s directive came as controversy grew over the withdrawal of soldiers from St. Mary Private Schools in Papiri, Niger State, shortly before dozens of schoolgirls were abducted. Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris demanded answers after soldiers reportedly left the school less than an hour before the attack, despite earlier intelligence warnings.
District Head of Maga, Muhammad Dantani, confirmed that troops were present around midnight but withdrew shortly before the attackers struck. The military has begun investigating the circumstances.
Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, said corrective measures will be taken if lapses are found, and rescue operations for the abducted students are ongoing.
Military Intensifies Search for Abducted Schoolgirls
Theatre Commander of Operation Fansan Yamma, Maj. Gen. Warrah Idris, visited the school and ordered troops to increase pressure on the kidnappers until the students are rescued. Senior officers expressed confidence that the abductors would be tracked down.
Community leaders welcomed the intensified military presence, saying it restored hope.
Kebbi Shuts All Secondary Schools
Amid rising attacks, the Kebbi State Government ordered the immediate closure of all public and private secondary schools, as well as most tertiary institutions. Only the College of Nursing Sciences in Birnin Kebbi will remain open.
The state commissioners for education said the move was necessary to protect students.
However, Col. Ahmed Usman (retd.), Security Adviser to the Sokoto State Governor, warned that constant school closures could worsen insecurity, deepen poverty, and hinder education in the North. He urged stronger collaboration between security agencies and governments to safeguard learning centres.
