President Bola Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of no fewer than 100,000 police officers assigned to politicians and other Very Important Persons, directing that they be immediately redeployed to core policing duties amid escalating security challenges nationwide.

The directive was issued during a high-level security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja, attended by Service Chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services.

According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, VIPs requiring close protection will now receive security from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, freeing up thousands of police officers for nationwide counter-insurgency and community policing operations.

Despite repeated promises by past Inspectors-General to reduce the number of police escorts attached to politicians, implementation has remained elusive. A 2025 report by the European Union Agency for Asylum said Nigeria has an estimated 371,800 police personnel for a population of 236.7 million far below global recommendations and further weakened by the diversion of officers to VIP protection.

Onanuga said Tinubu’s directive aims to “boost police presence in all communities” and restore public confidence in internal security management.

The President also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers, with plans to upgrade training facilities nationwide in partnership with state governments.

Nationwide Outrage Over Withdrawal of Troops Before Niger School Attack

Meanwhile, controversy continues over the withdrawal of troops guarding St. Mary Private Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara LGA of Niger State shortly before suspected bandits abducted hundreds of pupils.

Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris described the development as “deeply troubling,” questioning why soldiers reportedly left the school at about 3 a.m. despite intelligence warnings. The attackers struck less than 45 minutes later.

Community leaders in Papiri also confirmed that soldiers withdrew an hour before the attack, leaving only police personnel who admitted to taking cover because the attackers were heavily armed.

Reacting on Sunday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, said the military had begun a formal review of troop movements and pledged corrective action if any operational lapses were uncovered.

Military Intensifies Rescue Operations

The Theatre Commander of Operation Fansan Yamma, Maj. Gen. Warrah Idris, has ordered troops to maintain “overwhelming pressure” on the armed group behind the abductions.

During an assessment visit on Saturday, Idris vowed that troops would not relent until every abducted schoolchild is rescued. “They will find no safe haven,” he said.

Community leaders expressed renewed hope following the commanders’ visit.

Kebbi, Niger Shut Schools Amid Rising Insecurity

In response to the attack, the Kebbi State Government ordered the immediate closure of all public and private secondary schools, as well as state-owned tertiary institutions, citing growing threats to students and staff.

The decision affects hundreds of schools across all 21 LGAs, prompting fears about worsening access to education in the North. Only the College of Nursing Sciences, Birnin Kebbi, remains open.

Security adviser Col. Ahmed Usman (retd.) criticized widespread school closures, warning that they embolden criminal groups and worsen poverty.

50 Abducted Niger Schoolgirls Escape; 253 Still Missing

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger State, Bishop Bulus Yohanna, confirmed that 50 pupils escaped captivity between Friday and Saturday and reunited with their families. However, 253 students and 12 staff members remain missing.

A total of 315 people were abducted during Friday’s attack.

Kwara Church Abductees Regain Freedom

Separately, 38 worshippers kidnapped last Tuesday from a Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, regained freedom on Sunday after a coordinated operation by security agencies.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq attributed the breakthrough to President Tinubu, who reportedly cancelled his trip to the G20 Summit in South Africa to oversee rescue efforts.

Pope Leo XIV, APC React

Pope Leo XIV called for the immediate release of abducted schoolchildren in Nigeria, describing the situation as “immensely saddening.”

The All Progressives Congress claimed the recent surge in coordinated attacks resembles an “organised and choreographed” plan by fifth columnists seeking to destabilize the country ahead of 2027.

APC chieftain Nze Chidi Duru said the President had taken full ownership of the crisis, while former Osun lawmaker Olatunbosun Oyintiloye urged the Federal Government to identify and prosecute saboteurs within the security architecture.