Police Suspend Postings, Order VIP, Patrol Officers To Remain On Nationwide Standby

The Nigeria Police Force has ordered officers handling VIP protection and regular patrol duties across the country to remain on standby and suspend all postings and leave, as security alert levels rise nationwide.

Naijaonpoint reports that the directive was issued on January 27, 2026, through a wireless message sent from the Force Headquarters in Abuja to commands in Kano, Lagos, Yola, Makurdi, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Enugu and other major cities.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police at the Force Headquarters directed that no officer attached to beats or VIP duties should be withdrawn, transferred or allowed to go on leave for any reason.

All affected officers were told to remain at their duty posts while awaiting further instructions from Abuja.

The order cancelled earlier directives and placed all affected personnel on continuous readiness to respond to any security situation.

It also showed that the police leadership is increasing preparation for possible threats and tightening protection for key individuals and public areas.

This new instruction comes months after President Bola Tinubu ordered the removal of police officers assigned to politicians and government officials in November 2025.

The aim of that move was to return more officers to frontline duties, especially in communities facing bandit attacks, kidnappings and other violent crimes.

After the presidential order, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, announced that 11,566 officers had been withdrawn from VIP assignments and sent back to regular policing work.

He dismissed reports that up to 120,000 officers were serving as personal escorts, explaining that the redeployment was meant to strengthen security nationwide.

The police leadership later warned that any officer found providing escort services without approval would face arrest and punishment.

However, exemptions were later granted to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, who were allowed to retain police protection.