Police withdraw officers from VIPs after Tinubu’s order

The Special Protection Unit (SPU) in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has ordered all officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) and beats nationwide to return to base immediately.

The commanding officer of the SPU Base 16 in Lagos, Neji Veronica, made this known in a memo shared by the Presidency on X on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.

According to the memo, all affected officers were instructed to return before the close of business on Monday, November 24, 2025.

The memo read: “Sequel to the directive of Mr President and C-in-C 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.

Tinubu orders withdrawal of police officers from VIPs

“This is for your information and strict compliance.”

The latest development comes after President Bola Tinubu ordered the withdrawal of police officers providing security for VIPs in the country.

The presidential directive was issued at the security meeting Tinubu held with the police, Air Force, army chiefs, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja on Sunday.

According to the presidential directive, VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Sunday, said 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 Star