Nigeria withdraws police from VIP escort duty

Nigerian police authorities have announced plans to withdraw some police units from protecting and escorting VIPs, in favour of redeploying them to work on national security.

"While the protection of dignitaries remains paramount, it is imperative that we realign our priorities to address the escalating security challenges faced by the nation as a whole," police chief Olukayode Egbetokun said.

Those officers would only be replaced "where necessary", according to The Premium Times newspaper.

Earlier this month, President Bola Tinubu made sweeping changes to Nigeria's defence personnel appointing new commanders to the security forces including the army, navy and air forces.

President Tinubu, who was sworn in last month, said fixing insecurity in Nigeria was one of his top priorities.

Under the previous administration of Muhammadu Buhari, security declined with the country currently facing a kidnapping-for-ransom crisis.

This article originally appeared on BBC News.

Image via Getty.