The Federal Government of Nigeria has begun enforcing a major shake-up in VIP security protection, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive ordering the withdrawal of police personnel attached to prominent individuals across the country.
The President issued the order during a high-level security briefing in Abuja on Sunday, which triggered widespread redeployments within the Nigeria Police Force.
Top security chiefs attended the meeting, 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 the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
In compliance with President Tinubu’s directive, the Police Mobile Force (PMF) has issued a formal recall for all officers posted to 20 high-ranking figures.
The directive originated from the 50 PMF Squadron in Kubwa, Abuja, mandating that every affected officer must return to base by 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
The internal memo, referenced AB: 4087/FCT/50PMF/VOL.10/ and signed by CSP Suleiman Abdullahi, listed several top names whose escorts are to be withdrawn. They 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, Ogiame Atuwatse III.
Others listed in the document are:
– Chief Judge of Nigeria
– Minister of State for Labour
– Senator Tanko Al-Makura
– APC Women Leader
– Alhaji Kamba
– Hon. Ngozi Iweala
– Senator Ahmed Lawal
– Hon. Khalifa Abdul
– Hon. Yusuf Gagdi
– Dr. Ramatu Tijjani
– Hon. Vetra
– Hon. Moses Ternege
– Managing Director, Barelco
– Engineer Okeke
– Hon. Ibrahim Massari
The squadron also directed all withdrawn personnel to resume immediately for redeployment and further briefing.
This development marks the second wave of internal enforcement since the presidency ordered the dissolution of VIP police protection.
Another police unit, SPU Base 16 in Lagos, had earlier issued a similar directive requiring its officers to leave all VIP assignments and return to their command headquarters.
According to the memo signed by Neji Veronica, the President’s orders were reiterated, and officers were instructed to report “before the end of today, Monday, 24/11/2025.”
Under the new security arrangement, individuals seeking close protection will now have to request assistance from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which has been assigned responsibility for VIP protection.
