The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has directed all state Commissioners of Police to immediately assume control of Special Protection Unit (SPU) bases within their respective areas of responsibility.
He ordered the CPs to redeploy personnel withdrawn from VIP protection to conventional anti-crime duties nationwide.
The directive was contained in an internal police wireless message obtained by SaharaReporters and issued by the Department of Operations (DOPS) at Force Headquarters, Abuja, on January 5, 2026.
According to the signal, which was addressed to all Commissioners of Police and copied to key departments at Force Headquarters as well as Assistant Inspectors-General across Zones 1 to 17, the IGP ordered that all SPU bases be placed under the direct charge and control of state police commands.
“You are to deploy all personnel withdrawn from VIP protection for conventional anti-crime duties,” the message stated.
The IGP further instructed Commissioners of Police to organise training programmes for the redeployed personnel where necessary to ensure operational effectiveness in crime prevention and response.
Each state command was also directed to compile and forward a comprehensive list of the affected officers to Force Headquarters for documentation and monitoring.
The signal read: “CB:4001/FDPS/DOPS/FHQ/A83/VOL.9/7 X ORDER AND DIRECTIVES X INGENPOL DIRECTS X ALL COMMAND COMPOLS TO TAKE CHARGE /CONTROL OF ALL SPU BASES WITHIN THEIR AOR X YOU ARE TO DEPLOY ALL PERSONNEL WITHDRAWN FROM VIP PROTECTION FOR CONVENTIONAL ANTI-CRIME DUTIES X INGENPOL FURTHER DIRECTS X YOU ORGANISE TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR THE WITHDRAWN PERSONNEL WHERE NECESSARY X YOU ARE TO FORWARD MINE COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF THE SAID PERSONNEL YOURS X ALL TO ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT FOR STRICT COMPLIANCE PLEASE.”