The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has issued a nationwide order mandating the immediate arrest of any officer found offering personal security services to Very Important Persons (VIPs) outside officially approved duty locations. The directive strictly enforces President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent instruction on the matter.
According to Sahara Reporters, the order was contained in a police wireless signal dated November 30, 2025, and circulated by the Inspector General of Police. It directed all state commands and specialised units to fully implement the new policy.
The communication, sent to senior officers in the Department of Operations, all Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), Mobile Police Force units, the VIP Protection Unit, Counter-Terrorism Force, Federal Operations Unit, and every state and area command, stressed that any officer caught escorting a VIP outside their designated area of responsibility must be arrested immediately.
The message also warned that supervising officers would face disciplinary action if they failed to enforce compliance.
The memo read:
“Following the presidential directive, all commands are to arrest any police officer found escorting any VIP in their AOR. Disciplinary measures will also apply to any supervising officer who fails to act.”
Enforcement of the order has been assigned specifically to the Compol X-Squad and the IGPMU to ensure full compliance across the country.
Marked as “very important,” the memo underscored that the directive is final and must be obeyed without delay or further reminders.
This development follows President Tinubu’s November 23, 2025 directive ordering the immediate withdrawal and redeployment of police officers from VIP protection roles so they can return to core policing duties.
The directive was issued during a high-level security meeting attended by top security chiefs, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and DSS Director-General, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
Earlier, the Presidency had called on Nigerians to report any breach of the President’s order concerning VIP escorts.
In an interview on TVC, Presidential Media Adviser Daniel Bwala urged citizens to document and report any violation.
“If you see a celebrity, private individual, or anyone still receiving police protection against the President’s directive, capture evidence—photo or video—and report it,” Bwala said.
