Key Points

• President Tinubu orders withdrawal of 100,000 VIP-protecting police to focus on community and counter-insurgency duties.
• Military and security agencies intensify rescue operations for abducted students in Niger and Kwara states.
• Authorities implement school closures and recruit additional officers while urging collaboration to secure schools and communities.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of roughly 100,000 police officers assigned to protect Very Important Persons and politicians.

The redeployment is aimed at boosting security in communities and strengthening counter-insurgency operations nationwide.

The directive came during a security meeting on Sunday in Abuja attended by Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said armed operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps will now provide VIP protection instead of the police.

An estimated 100,000 officers previously assigned to VIP duties left fewer personnel available for community policing.

The move addresses longstanding concerns that the Nigeria Police Force, with roughly 371,800 officers for a population of 236.7 million, has been overstretched and diverted from core duties.

“President Tinubu has ordered police officers to concentrate on their core duties to boost community security amid current threats,” Onanuga said.

He also confirmed that the government approved recruiting 30,000 additional officers and is working with states to upgrade police training facilities.

Military and Security Operations Intensify

The redeployment comes as the military intensifies efforts to rescue abducted schoolchildren in Niger and Kebbi states.

Troops had been withdrawn minutes before attackers seized dozens of girls at St. Mary Private Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.

Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris demanded an explanation, saying intelligence reports alerted authorities to a possible attack.

“Troops reportedly left the school around 3 a.m., less than 45 minutes before the attack,” Idris said, calling for a full investigation.

The District Head of Maga, Muhammad Dantani, confirmed soldiers were present at midnight but left an hour later.

Police at the scene reportedly took cover when attackers arrived, citing overwhelming numbers and firepower.

Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, said the military is reviewing the troop withdrawal.

“We are investigating the circumstances and will implement corrective measures if lapses are found,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Warrah Idris, Theatre Commander of Operation Fansan Yamma, directed troops to maintain pressure on the bandits until all abducted students are safely recovered.

Captain Davidi Adewusi, spokesman for the operation, said commanders on the ground received detailed briefings and assured full support and resources.

Community members expressed renewed hope. “Seeing the commanders on the ground reassures us. We believe this operation will bring our children home,” a local representative said.

School Closures Amid Security Threats

Kebbi State ordered the closure of all public and private secondary schools and state-owned tertiary institutions, except the College of Nursing Sciences, to protect students amid rising threats.

The Commissioners for Basic and Secondary Education and Higher Education emphasized that the precaution is necessary while security agencies intensify operations.

Col. Ahmed Usman, Special Adviser on Security to Sokoto State Governor, criticised widespread school closures as ineffective.

He said shutting schools could embolden criminals and warned that continuous disruptions would harm education and youth opportunities.

Usman urged the government, traditional rulers, and security agencies to intensify collaboration, combining military action with dialogue, youth empowerment, rehabilitation, and tackling the root causes of insecurity.

Abducted Worshippers and Students Regain Freedom

Meanwhile, 38 worshippers abducted last Tuesday from Christ Apostolic Church Oke Isegun in Eruku, Kwara State, were released on Sunday.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq credited their freedom to the hands-on intervention of President Tinubu, who personally supervised operations and cancelled a scheduled G20 Summit trip to focus on security.

Multiple security agencies, including the DSS, Nigerian Army, Police, and intelligence services, coordinated the rescue.

Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, said the victims were freed after “many days of hard work” by security forces.

In Niger State, 50 students abducted from St. Mary Private Primary and Secondary Schools escaped captivity between Friday and Saturday and reunited with their families.

Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger State, confirmed the escape.

Despite the escapes, 236 pupils, including three children of staff members and 14 secondary students, remain in captivity along with 12 staff members.

The Niger State government closed schools statewide on Saturday as a precaution.

International and Political Reactions

Pope Leo XIV called for the immediate release of abducted children and condemned the kidnappings, calling for churches and schools to remain safe havens.

The All Progressives Congress warned that recent attacks suggest a coordinated campaign by internal saboteurs aiming to create panic ahead of the 2027 elections.

Deputy National Organising Secretary Nze Chidi Duru said President Tinubu has taken ownership of the crisis and is deploying all available resources to protect lives.

Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a former Osun State legislator, urged the President and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to identify and prosecute internal saboteurs.

He said the surge in abductions and killings was worsening public anxiety and demanded intensified military and security operations.

Duru and Oyintiloye stressed that Nigeria’s military retains the strength to confront threats and that the government must ensure security without political exploitation of the turmoil.