The Special Protection Unit (SPU) of the Nigeria Police Force has directed all personnel deployed to VIP protection and special duty posts nationwide to report back to their respective bases.
The order comes in compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s November 23 directive mandating the immediate withdrawal of police officers from VIP security assignments across the country.
According to an internal memo signed by Neji Veronica, the Commanding Officer of SPU Base 16 in Lagos, and circulated on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on X, all affected officers were instructed to return to base no later than the close of work on November 24.
The memo stated, “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, with immediate effect, the withdrawal of all personnel of SPU Base 16 attached to VIPs/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 to attend the lecture parade tomorrow. Attendance shall be taken from the nominal roll. This is for your information and strict compliance.”
Under the new arrangement, Tinubu said VIPs requiring security protection will now need to request armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), rather than relying on police officers.
The Presidency explained that the move aims to boost police presence in communities, especially in remote areas where police stations are often understaffed and citizens remain vulnerable to attacks.
“Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult,” the statement said, adding that Tinubu wants police officers “to concentrate on their core police duties.”
To reinforce this initiative, Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 police officers nationwide, with plans underway to upgrade training facilities in collaboration with state governments.
