The Federal Government has announced the immediate withdrawal and redeployment of officers from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) who were assigned to provide escort services for VIPs.
During an announcement on Friday, February 13, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, indicated that this action is part of a broader initiative to enhance the country's security framework.
"In a bid to strengthen security architecture, the Nigeria Police Force has undertaken a significant redeployment of officers who were dedicated to VIP escort services across the country," he stated.
This decision signifies a transition from prioritizing private protection to focusing on public safety, particularly in light of a gruesome attack in Kwara State that resulted in the deaths of at least 75 villagers.
Critics have long argued that assigning police officers to protect private individuals diminishes the available manpower for community policing. The minister asserted that this large-scale redeployment is aimed at rectifying that disparity by reallocating thousands of officers back to frontline roles.
Idris noted that the redeployed officers have already been assimilated into vital security structures, with significant personnel reinforcements provided in Kwara, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory.
He also mentioned that security visibility has been heightened around places of worship, with added police presence around churches during Sunday services in collaboration with local community and faith leaders.
As stated by the minister, President Bola Tinubu's approach in tackling terrorism remains rooted in Nigerian leadership and sovereignty. Nonetheless, he emphasized that the administration remains receptive to strategic collaborations with international allies, especially regarding intelligence sharing, surveillance, and reconnaissance assistance that aligns with national interests.
These enhanced security protocols were instituted following a brutal assault on Tuesday evening, during which armed assailants invaded the Woro community and the adjacent Nuku area in Kwara North around 5:30 p.m., killing at least 75 individuals. Reports indicate that the attackers set ablaze shops, ignited the home of a traditional leader, and drove local residents into nearby bushes for safety.
The Northern States Governors' Forum has denounced the killings in Kwara, Katsina, and Benue states, labeling them as "barbaric, senseless, and an affront to the collective conscience of the nation." Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq described the incident as a "pure massacre," confirming that funerals for the victims have already taken place.
In response to the tragic events, President Tinubu has ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kwara State to reinforce security efforts and restore peace in the affected areas.
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