The Nigeria Police Force has directed all officers assigned to several top political figures, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and some traditional rulers, to immediately return to their duty base. This follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent instruction ordering the withdrawal of police escorts from VIPs.
Tinubu Orders Withdrawal of Police Escorts
At a major security briefing in Abuja, President Tinubu mandated that police personnel attached to VIPs be recalled. He emphasized that officers must “focus on their core policing responsibilities” to boost national security, particularly in areas that are currently vulnerable.
Present at the meeting were the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun; and DSS Director-General Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
Police Mobile Force Releases Internal Directive
A notice issued by the 50 Police Mobile Force Squadron in Kubwa, Abuja, instructed officers attached to 20 listed VIPs to report back by 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
The memo, numbered AB: 4087/FCT/50PMF/VOL.10 and signed by CSP Suleiman Abdullahi, reads:
“All personnel attached to the underlisted VIPs are to report back to base without delay for immediate redeployment.”
VIPs on the List
Those affected include:
Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, Nyesom Wike, Aisha Buhari, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, HRM Ogiame Atuwatse III, Ngozi Iweala, Senator Ahmed Lawal, Senator Tanko Almakura, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, Hon. Ibrahim Massari, and several others are included in the memo.
NSCDC to Handle VIP Protection Going Forward
Under the new arrangement, VIPs who require personal protection must now apply through the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as the police will no longer provide escorts for private individuals.
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