The Special Protection Unit (SPU) of the Nigeria Police Force has directed all officers attached to VIPs and special beats nationwide to return to their bases with immediate effect.
The directive follows President Bola Tinubu’s order on November 23 mandating the withdrawal of police personnel assigned to VIPs across the country.
In a memo signed by Neji Veronica, Commanding Officer of SPU Base 16 in Lagos, and shared by the presidency on X, affected officers were instructed to report back before the close of work on November 24.
“Sequel to the directive of Mr President and C-in-C 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,” the memo read.
“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.”
The presidency said the policy shift aims to strengthen policing in communities—especially rural and underserved areas—where stations are understaffed and residents remain vulnerable to attacks.
Under the new arrangement, VIPs seeking personal security will be required to obtain armed protection from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) rather than the police.
The presidency added that Tinubu approved the recruitment of 30,000 new police officers nationwide and that efforts are underway to upgrade police training facilities in partnership with state governments.