Nigeria’s security landscape took a turn on Thursday as the Nigeria Police Force ordered an immediate recall of officers attached to several high-profile political leaders and influential personalities.
The move followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive on police withdrawal from VIP security.
The President issued the order during a high-level security meeting in Abuja, where he stressed that police escorts must “focus on their core policing responsibilities” to boost safety in underserved communities.
The development has been viewed as a surprising shift, especially because many of the affected VIPs traditionally rely on police protection.
During the meeting, Tinubu sat with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun; and DSS Director-General Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
The session was held to review rising security concerns and streamline resource deployment nationwide.
Furthermore, a recall memo issued by the 50 Police Mobile Force Squadron in Kubwa, Abuja, directed all officers attached to 20 key figures to return to base by 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
The internal memo, signed by CSP Suleiman Abdullahi and referenced AB: 4087/FCT/50PMF/VOL.10, read:
“All personnel attached to the underlisted VIPs are to report back to base without delay for immediate redeployment.”
Moreover, prominent individuals listed in the document include Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, Nyesom Wike, Aisha Buhari, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, HRM Ogiame Atuwatse III, Ngozi Iweala, Senator Ahmed Lawal, Senator Tanko Almakura, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, and Hon. Ibrahim Massari, among others.
In addition, the new policy states that VIPs who still require official protection must now apply to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as the police will no longer handle such duties.
The shift marks one of the most sweeping changes to executive protection in recent years.
