The Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, on Thursday confirmed that about 11,566 police officers previously assigned to Very Important Personalities (VIPs) have been withdrawn.
This followed a directive by President Bola Tinubu, who ordered the immediate withdrawal of officers assigned to VIP security across the country.
Tinubu issued the directive on November 23 following the surge in killings, abductions, and other criminal activities by assailants.
Speaking at an ongoing meeting with senior police officers in Abuja on Thursday, the IGP noted that the presidential order has given him the mandate to fully implement the directive without interference.
According to him, no VIP will question the recall of their security personnel since the instruction came directly from the President.
The police boss urged officers to remain professional and committed to securing the nation, stressing the need for round-the-clock efforts to prevent criminal activities across the country.