The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s recent order to remove police officers assigned to important individuals (VIPs), saying it is only a political move and will not solve Nigeria’s growing insecurity.
On Sunday, President Tinubu directed that police officers attached to VIPs should be withdrawn immediately and reassigned to community policing. This was announced by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
However, in a statement on Monday, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the decision was just for show and proved that the government does not fully understand the real security problems facing the country.
He added that this is not a new directive, explaining that the Inspector-General of Police had already made similar announcements twice in 2025.
Abdullahi said the new order may attract attention and look good in the news, but it does nothing to address serious issues like terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and violent crime.
“This dramatic action of removing police from VIPs may please the public, but it does not solve the real problems,” he said.
He also said the government’s claim that 100,000 officers would now be available for security duties was misleading. According to him, the number of officers is not the main problem — rather, the police are not properly trained, equipped, or motivated to fight insecurity. He added that even the military has difficulties dealing with insurgents.
Abdullahi also questioned why the government plans to replace police bodyguards with members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), whose main duties are disaster response and community safety.
He stressed that Nigeria needs a well-planned national security strategy focused on modern equipment, intelligence, and cooperation among security agencies — not temporary or symbolic decisions.
Abdullahi demanded that the government release accurate data to prove the claim of withdrawing 100,000 officers and explain exactly how they will be deployed.
He said sending officers back to duty without a clear plan would achieve nothing.
“The Tinubu government must go beyond speeches and begin a complete reform of Nigeria’s security system,” he added.
