ABUJA — In a sweeping shake-up, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has ordered all officers assigned to provide security to high-profile individuals across Nigeria to return to base by Thursday, November 27, 2025.
The directive — signed by the 50 Squadron of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) under reference AB: 4087/FCT/50PMF/VOL.10/ — affects escorts attached to 20 Very Important Persons (VIPs), including former Vice-Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo; the Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike; former First Lady Aisha Buhari; the Chief Justice of Nigeria; and traditional rulers such as Ogiame Atuwatse III of Warri.
According to the memo, all affected officers must return to base by 2:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, after which they will be redeployed to general policing duties nationwide.
The move follows a public directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a high-level security meeting in Abuja, where he ordered the withdrawal of police protection from individual VIPs — a measure aimed at strengthening manpower deployment to vulnerable communities and improving frontline policing.
Under the revised policy, VIPs who still require protection must now seek security services from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), rather than the regular police.
In confirmation remarks, the Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun said that the recall affects a total of 11,566 officers — describing the reallocation as necessary to address growing security challenges in rural areas, highways, and neglected urban communities.
As the changes take effect, police commanders at all levels have been instructed to acknowledge receipt of the directive and ensure full compliance. Dalena Reporters will continue to monitor the redeployment’s impact on public safety, and report reactions from VIPs and civil-society stakeholders as the changes unfold.