The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has directed all officers attached to VIPs and beats nationwide to return to their bases. This instruction was contained in a memo signed by Neji Veronica, Commanding Officer of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 16 in Lagos.
According to the memo, which was shared by the presidency on X, all affected officers were ordered to report back before the close of business on November 24. The commanding officer stressed that the directive takes immediate effect and must be strictly followed.
The statement read:
“Following the directive of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces on the withdrawal of police personnel attached to VIPs, the Commanding Officer directs the immediate withdrawal of all SPU Base 16 personnel attached to VIPs or beats across the federation back to base.
You are all warned to report back before the end of today, Monday, 24/11/2025, and all must attend the Lecture Parade tomorrow. Attendance shall be taken from the nominal roll.
This is for your information and strict compliance.”
On November 23, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to VIPs across the country. Under the new policy, VIPs who require security protection must request armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) instead of the police.
The presidency explained that the move is intended to strengthen police presence in communities, particularly remote areas where stations are understaffed and residents are vulnerable to attacks. The statement noted that many parts of Nigeria have very few officers at police stations, making it difficult to protect citizens, and emphasized that Tinubu wants officers to focus on their core policing duties.
As part of efforts to reinforce this new direction, the president has also approved the recruitment of 30,000 police officers nationwide, with plans underway to upgrade training facilities in collaboration with state governments.
