Nigeria’s Federal Government has launched a sweeping security reform, ordering the immediate withdrawal of police personnel attached to top political figures and influential individuals across the country. The directive, issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a high level security briefing in Abuja, marks one of the most significant shake ups in VIP protection in years. It has already triggered widespread redeployments within the Nigeria Police Force and intensified debate about the future of VIP security in Nigeria.
According to security sources, the President delivered the directive during a strategic meeting attended by major security chiefs.
- Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff
- Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Chief of Air Staff
- IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police
- Tosin Adeola Ajayi, Director General of the DSS
The meeting focused on restructuring security deployment nationwide and addressing persistent manpower shortages across police formations.
In line with the President’s order, the Police Mobile Force issued a formal recall of officers attached to 20 high profile individuals. The instruction, originating from 50 PMF Squadron in Kubwa Abuja, mandated all affected personnel to return to base no later than 2.00 p.m. on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
An internal memo referenced AB: 4087 FCT 50PMF VOL.10 and signed by CSP Suleiman Abdullahi listed several top figures set to lose their police escorts. 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
- Ogiame Atuwatse III, Olu of Warri
Other notable figures affected include the 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, the Managing Director of Barelco, Engineer Okeke, and Hon. Ibrahim Massari.
The squadron instructed all recalled officers to report immediately for redeployment and further briefing.
This development marks the second major enforcement since the Tinubu administration ordered the dissolution of VIP police protection nationwide. Just days earlier, SPU Base 16 in Lagos issued a similar memo signed by Neji Veronica directing all officers on VIP duty to abandon their posts and return to headquarters before the end of Monday, November 24, 2025. The Lagos directive emphasized the need for full compliance with the President’s security reforms.
Under the new national security arrangement, individuals seeking personal protection must now apply to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. The agency has officially been assigned responsibility for VIP security services. Security analysts note that this shift aligns with global best practices where specialised units manage dignitary protection.
Presidency insiders frame this bold move as a much needed correction to long standing manpower imbalances within the police force. For years, hundreds of officers have been deployed to protect private individuals, often politically connected, while many rural communities operate with minimal staff.
A senior security official noted that several police divisions have been functioning on extremely low manpower, weakening response times and undermining public safety.
By redirecting officers back to operational duties, the government aims to strengthen community policing, improve response times, boost operational readiness, and restore core police functions that have been diluted by VIP attachments.
As the recall takes effect and security agencies begin a broad redistribution of personnel, the coming weeks will reveal how deeply this reform will reshape Nigeria’s policing landscape.
Comments
Post a Comment