The Special Protection Unit (SPU) of the Nigeria Police Force has ordered all officers attached to VIPs nationwide to return to their bases, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for the withdrawal of police personnel from VIP security duties.
The directive, issued on November 23, was contained in a memo signed by the Commanding Officer of SPU Base 16 in Lagos, Neji Veronica, and shared on Tuesday by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, on X.
The memo read:
“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.”
All affected officers were instructed to return to base before the close of business on November 24.
Under the new arrangement, VIPs seeking armed protection will now have to request such services from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), instead of the police.
The Presidency explained that the policy is aimed at boosting police presence in communities, especially remote areas where stations are understaffed and residents remain vulnerable to attacks.
It added that “many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult,” noting that President Tinubu wants police officers “to concentrate on their core police duties.”
To reinforce the initiative, the President has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers nationwide. Plans are also underway to upgrade police training facilities in collaboration with state governments as part of ongoing security sector reforms.
