The Federal Government has moved to enforce a major shake‑up in VIP security protection, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive ordering the withdrawal of police personnel attached to prominent individuals nationwide.

The order, handed down during a high‑level security briefing in Abuja on Sunday, immediately triggered widespread redeployments within the Nigeria Police Force.

Top security chiefs attended the meeting, including 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.

Police Mobile Force Recall

In line with the President’s instruction, the Police Mobile Force (PMF) issued a formal recall for all officers posted to 20 high‑ranking figures.

The directive came specifically from the 50 PMF Squadron in Kubwa, Abuja, mandating that every affected officer return 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AB: 4087/FCT/50PMF/VOL.10/ and signed by CSP Suleiman Abdullahi, listed several top names whose escorts must be withdrawn. They 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
• The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III
• Senator Tanko Al‑Makura
• APC Women Leader
• Hon. Ngozi Iweala
• Senator Ahmed Lawal
• Hon. Yusuf Gagdi
• Dr. Ramatu Tijjani
• Hon. Ibrahim Massari
  (plus other senior figures listed in the memo)

The squadron directed all withdrawn personnel to resume immediately for redeployment and further briefing.

NSCDC Assigned VIP Protection

This marks the second wave of enforcement since the presidency ordered the dissolution of VIP police protection.

Earlier in the week, SPU Base 16 in Lagos had issued a similar directive, recalling its officers from VIP beats.

Under the new arrangement, individuals seeking close protection must now request assistance from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), which has been assigned responsibility for VIP security.

Presidency insiders frame the move as an attempt to fix the acute manpower shortage affecting policing at community and divisional levels.

Many rural areas have been operating with skeleton staff while hundreds of officers remained attached to private individuals.

The administration believes redirecting these officers back to operational duties will strengthen national security, improve response times, and allow the police to reclaim frontline roles weakened by manpower diversion.

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