The Nigeria Police Force has commenced the withdrawal of officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country, following a directive issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on November 23, 2025. The order mandates the immediate redeployment of police personnel from VIP protection duties to their core responsibilities of safeguarding communities and maintaining public order.
In compliance with the presidential directive, the Special Protection Unit (SPU) of the Nigeria Police has instructed all affected officers to report back to their respective bases.
A memo signed by Neji Veronica, Commanding Officer of SPU Base 16 in Lagos, directed that officers assigned to VIPs and beat duties nationwide return “back to base” before the close of business on November 24, 2025. The directive was further confirmed by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, who shared the official communication publicly.
President Tinubu emphasized that the withdrawal is part of broader efforts to strengthen national security by ensuring that police officers are deployed to their primary functions. Going forward, VIPs requiring security escorts will be expected to seek assistance from other agencies such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), thereby freeing up police resources for community policing and crime prevention.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has assured the public that the redeployment will not compromise security but will instead enhance the presence of law enforcement officers in communities nationwide. The move is expected to bolster police visibility, improve response times, and reinforce the fight against crime.
The Nigeria Police Force calls on all affected officers to comply fully with the directive and report promptly to their designated bases. The Force also urges the public to support this transition, which is aimed at restoring the police to its core mandate of protecting lives and property across the country.