The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has withdrawn a total of 11,566 police officers assigned to provide security for certain prominent individuals across the country.
This action follows an order from President Bola Tinubu regarding the increasing insecurity in the country.
IGP Egbetokun confirmed this on Thursday during a meeting with senior police officers in Abuja.
He explained that these withdrawn police officers will be deployed to various states across the country to strengthen security.
He also indicated that the withdrawal of police officers from prominent individuals will be done in phases.
Under the new arrangement, prominent individuals who wish to have armed police escorts must now request permission from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Furthermore, this order was part of the resolutions reached during the President's security meeting with military service chiefs in Abuja on Sunday.
The Presidency stated that this measure was taken to return police officers to their core duties and to enhance their presence in communities affected by insecurity.