President Bola Tinubu has ordered for the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from VIPs in Nigeria.

The Minister of  State for Police Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, who made this known on Monday during a two-day management retreat at the Ministry of Police Affairs, revealed that the police high command will execute President Bola Tinubu’s directive for the withdrawal of police personnel from VIP security duties, and developing a community policing strategy, amongst others.

He noted that the Nigeria Police Force and the Ministry of Police Affairs were at a critical juncture, and currently struggling with the consequences of decades of neglect that have hindered their ability to fulfil their constitutional mandate, she added that the ministry was committed to aligning its efforts to contribute to the realisation of Mr President’s vision for a renewed, highly effective NPF.

Suleiman-Ibrahim said, “The Police Inspectorate Department, in particular, should evolve its operations to focus on robust monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning. Reports must be factual, practical, and evidence-based, and serve as critical tools for enhancing police performance. It must champion the review of the curriculum of the training institutions to ensure they are reflective of the evolving landscape of law enforcement, incorporating contemporary practices and international standards.

“The Police Service Department has multifaceted responsibilities and must rise to the occasion by ensuring administrative optimization, making sure that relevant policies and procedures for the police are in place and up to date while also fostering the adoption of cutting-edge technology. It must be at the forefront of efforts to ensure we evolve an intelligence-led, technology-driven, inclusive, and community-based police force in Nigeria.

“The Planning, Research, and Statistics Department must position itself as a knowledge hub, providing historical insights and conducting cutting-edge research to inf