The Special Protection Unit (SPU) of the Nigeria Police Force has instructed all officers assigned to Very Important Persons (VIPs) and special duties across the country to return immediately to their bases, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to withdraw police escorts from private individuals.
The order, issued in a memo signed by Commanding Officer of SPU Base 16, Lagos, Neji Veronica, and circulated on 𝕏 by the Presidency, required affected personnel to report back before the close of work on Monday, November 24, 2025.
The statement read in part:
“In 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. 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. This is for your information and strict compliance.”
President Tinubu, who issued the directive on November 23, emphasized that the Nigeria Police must refocus on community policing and frontline security duties. Under the new arrangement, VIPs seeking armed protection are now required to apply to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) instead of the police.
The Presidency explained that the move was necessary to address acute shortages of police personnel, particularly in remote and high-risk communities, where insufficient officers make it difficult to safeguard residents.
In addition to the withdrawal, the President has approved the recruitment of 30,000 new police officers nationwide and plans to upgrade training facilities in partnership with state governments, aiming to strengthen the force’s capacity for frontline security.