ABUJA: The Special Protection Unit of the Nigeria Police Force has ordered all officers attached to VIPs nationwide to immediately return to their bases, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to withdraw police personnel from VIP security duties.
The order was contained in an internal memo signed by Neji Veronica, Commanding Officer of SPU Base 16 in Lagos, and circulated on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the memo, all SPU officers assigned to VIPs and special beats were expected to report back to base no later than the close of work on Monday, November 24.
“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 memo read.
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. This is for your information and strict compliance.
Under the new policy, VIPs who require armed protection will now have to request personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), rather than relying on police officers.
The Presidency explained that the decision is aimed at boosting police manpower in communities and underserved rural areas, where security presence is often inadequate and residents remain vulnerable to attacks.
“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.
Tinubu, it added, wants police officers to concentrate on their core police duties.
To support the initiative, Tinubu has also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers nationwide, with plans to upgrade training facilities in partnership with state governments.
The directive comes amid a rise in violent attacks across parts of Northern Nigeria, including recent kidnappings in Kebbi and Kwara state
