Former Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for issuing a decisive directive to withdraw police officers from escorting Very Important Persons (VIPs) and redeploy them to core policing duties across the country.







President Tinubu recently approved the immediate withdrawal of all police personnel attached to VIPs, a move aimed at boosting manpower for critical security operations, especially in areas lacking adequate policing. According to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, VIPs who still require protection will now be assigned armed operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The policy is part of a broader effort to reposition the police force and improve Nigeria’s internal security framework.







Speaking at the unveiling of his biographies, “Giant Footprints” and “A Policeman Personified”, Baba expressed strong confidence that the presidential directive would achieve its intended impact. He noted that previous attempts to enforce similar withdrawals were unsuccessful because they originated from police leadership rather than the President himself, making enforcement difficult.






Baba highlighted that Tinubu’s involvement marks a turning point, describing it as a significant step toward restoring the prominence and operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force. He applauded the President for taking a stand to address long-standing concerns over the misuse of police personnel for private protection.






Reflecting on his literary works, the former IGP said documenting his experiences in policing would enrich national conversations about security reforms and provide guidance for policymakers and law enforcement professionals. He expressed hope that his journey would inspire future security leaders and contribute to building a stronger internal security system.






“I remain deeply grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued efforts to reaffirm the central role of the police in Nigeria’s security structure,” he said. “This latest directive, removing officers from individuals who do not merit such protection, is unprecedented. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time such an order is coming directly from a sitting President. We tried implementing similar measures during my tenure as IGP, but it proved impossible. Now, we must wait and see how this initiative unfolds.”






His remarks underscore growing national support for reforms aimed at strengthening frontline policing and ensuring that officers are deployed where they are needed most.