President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country, directing that they return to core policing duties to boost national security.

The directive followed a high-level security meeting the President held on Sunday in Abuja with the heads of the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to a statement issued by the Special adviser to the President on information and strategy Bayo Onanuga on Sunday, Under the new arrangement, VIPs requiring official protection will now obtain armed security personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), rather than the police.

The Presidency says the move is part of ongoing efforts to increase police presence in communities, especially in remote areas where stations are currently understaffed a gap that has made effective protection and response difficult.

To strengthen manpower, President Tinubu has already approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The Federal Government is also working with state governments to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.

Sunday’s meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.

Gunmen on Wednesday attacked the convoy of former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chris Ngige, along the Nkpor–Nnobi Road in Idemili North Local Government Area, leaving one person dead and several others injured.

Sources said the assailants, dressed in police and military uniforms, opened fire on the pilot vehicle, killing a policeman and carting away his rifle and uniform.

A woman who was reportedly recording the incident with her mobile phone was also shot dead on the spot.

A shop owner who rushed out to observe what was happening was hit by bullets and sustained severe injuries. He lost significant blood but is scheduled for surgery to remove bullet fragments. He is said to be in stable condition.

The escort leader, who also sustained gunshot injuries, has undergone surgery and is expected to recover fully. The pilot car was riddled with bullets.

Dr. Ngige was not in the convoy at the time of the attack.

In a statement, Mr. Fred Chukwuelobe, Ngige’s former press secretary, confirmed the incident, saying: “I spoke with His Excellency, Dr. Ngige, who confirmed the attack and assured that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure adequate medical care for the injured. He also extended condolences to the family of the woman who was killed while recording the attack.”

The Anambra State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.