iDeemlawfulThe Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated a major overhaul of VIP security protection after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the removal of police officers attached to prominent individuals nationwide.
The directive, issued during a high-level security meeting in Abuja on Sunday, led to immediate redeployments across the Nigeria Police Force.
Top security heads were present at the briefing, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
Following President Tinubu’s instruction, the Police Mobile Force (PMF) has formally recalled all officers assigned to 20 high-profile individuals.
The order, issued by the 50 PMF Squadron in Kubwa, Abuja, mandated that all affected officers report back to base by 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
The internal memo, referenced AB: 4087/FCT/50PMF/VOL.10/ and signed by CSP Suleiman Abdullahi, listed several key figures whose security details are to be withdrawn. Those named include former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo; FCT Minister Nyesom Wike; former First Lady Aisha Buhari; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun; and the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III.
Others mentioned in the document are:
– Chief Judge of Nigeria
– Minister of State for Labour
– Senator Tanko Al-Makura
– APC Women Leader
– Alhaji Kamba
– Hon. Ngozi Iweala
– Senator Ahmed Lawal
– Hon. Khalifa Abdul
– Hon. Yusuf Gagdi
– Dr. Ramatu Tijjani
– Hon. Vetra
– Hon. Moses Ternege
– Managing Director, Barelco
– Engineer Okeke
– Hon. Ibrahim Massari
The squadron also instructed all withdrawn officers to report immediately for redeployment and further directives.
This move represents the second stage of internal enforcement since the presidency ordered the dismantling of VIP police protection.
A similar directive was earlier issued by SPU Base 16 in Lagos, instructing officers to vacate all VIP posts and return to command headquarters.
According to the memo signed by Neji Veronica, the directive reaffirmed the President’s orders and instructed officers to report “before the end of today, Monday, 24/11/2025.”
Under the revised security framework, individuals requiring personal protection will now have to seek assistance from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which has been assigned responsibility for VIP protection.
