The Nigeria Police Force has commenced the withdrawal of officers attached to prominent individuals across the country, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive that security personnel assigned to VIPs be redeployed to core policing duties.
In compliance with the directive, the Mobile Police Force’s 50 Squadron in Kubwa, Abuja, has ordered all personnel serving as escorts to high-profile individuals to return to base immediately.
A memo issued under reference AB:4087/FCT/50PMF/VOL.10/ instructed the affected officers to report back by 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 27, 2025. The squadron listed 20 VIPs whose attached officers are affected.
Those on the withdrawal list include former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo; FCT Minister Nyesom Wike; former First Lady Aisha Buhari; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun; and the Olu of Warri, His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III.
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Others listed are the Chief Judge of Nigeria; Minister of State for Labour; Senator Tanko Al-Makura; the APC Women Leader; Alhaji Kamba; Ngozi Iweala; Senator Ahmed Lawal; Hon. Khalifa Abdul; Hon. Yusuf Gagdi; Dr. Ramatu Tijjani; Hon. Vetra; Hon. Moses Ternege; the Managing Director of Barelco; Engineer Okeke; and Hon. Ibrahim Massari.
The memo was signed by CSP Suleiman Abdullahi, Administrative Officer of the 50 PMF in Kubwa.
President Tinubu had earlier announced the policy shift during a security briefing in Abuja on Sunday, attended by senior security chiefs including the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
Under the new arrangement, VIPs requiring armed protection must now request operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The decision is part of the administration’s plan to strengthen police presence in underserved communities where limited manpower has slowed security enforcement.
The policy has already sparked compliance movements across police formations. On Wednesday, officers from SPU Base 16 in Lagos were ordered to withdraw from all VIP assignments, following a memo signed by Commanding Officer Neji Veronica.
The memo directed all affected officers to return to base immediately, stating: “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 the withdrawal of all personnel of SPU Base 16 attached to VIPs/Beats across the federation back to base.”
It added: “You are all warned to report back before the end of today, Monday, 24/11/2025, and attend the lecture parade tomorrow. Attendance shall be taken from the nominal roll. Strict compliance is required.”