The Nigeria Police Force has begun a nationwide withdrawal of its officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) following a directive from President Bola Tinubu.
The order was communicated through an internal memo from the Special Protection Unit (SPU), directing all personnel assigned to VIP duties to immediately return to their bases.
The memo, signed by Neji Veronica, the Commanding Officer of SPU Base 16 in Lagos, was circulated on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
It stated: “Sequel to the directive of Mr President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces on the withdrawal of police personnel attached to VIPs, the Commanding Officer directs, with immediate effect, the withdrawal of all personnel of SPU Base 16 attached to VIPs/Beats across the federation back to base.”
The document further instructed affected officers to report without delay:
“You are all warned to report back before the end of today, Monday, 24/11/2025, and all to attend the lecture parade tomorrow. Attendance shall be taken from the nominal roll.”
President Tinubu’s directive, issued on November 23, is aimed at strengthening policing in communities and rural environments where stations are often understaffed.
A statement from the Presidency explained that many areas remain vulnerable due to inadequate manpower. “Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult,” the statement said.
The President emphasized that police officers must return to their core duties of crime prevention, patrol and public safety, rather than serving as personal guards for individuals.
Under the new arrangement, VIPs who require armed escorts will need to request personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
To further reinforce security, President Tinubu also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. Upgrades to training schools across the country are expected to follow as part of a wider security reform plan.
The withdrawal of VIP security follows rising insecurity in parts of Northern Nigeria, including recent kidnappings in Kebbi and Kwara states.
The Police Public Relations Office is expected to issue an official operational update in the coming d
