The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, on Thursday, announced the withdrawal of 11,566 police personnel previously assigned to private citizens across the country, in compliance with a directive issued by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking at a meeting with strategic police commanders in Abuja, the IGP said the recalled officers would be immediately redeployed to police formations nationwide to strengthen security operations and enhance public safety.
Egbetokun explained that the implementation of the withdrawal policy would be carried out in phases to ensure a smooth transition and avoid disruptions to ongoing policing duties.
He said the redeployment aligns with ongoing reforms aimed at optimising manpower allocation within the Nigeria Police Force and ensuring that officers are available for core policing responsibilities.
The IGP emphasised that the decision marks a significant step toward restoring professionalism and improving operational capabilities across the country, noting that police protection for private individuals will now follow stricter guidelines and only be approved based on clearly defined criteria.
According to him, the reallocation of personnel will boost response capacity, improve patrol visibility, and enhance community safety efforts as the country continues to tackle evolving security challenges.
