The Special Protection Unit (SPU) of the Nigeria Police Force has ordered all personnel attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) and special beats nationwide to immediately return to their bases, following President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive withdrawing police escorts from private individuals.

The directive was contained in a memo signed by the Commanding Officer of SPU Base 16, Lagos, Neji Veronica, and circulated on 𝕏 by the Presidency. Affected officers were instructed to report back before the close of work on Monday, November 24, 2025.

The memo read: “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 had, on November 23, ordered the immediate withdrawal of police escorts from VIPs, insisting that the Nigeria Police Force must refocus on community policing and frontline security operations.

Under the new arrangement, VIPs requiring armed protection must now apply to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), not the police.

A statement from the Presidency explained that the decision was driven by the severe shortage of police personnel in remote and high-risk communities.

It stated: “Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult.”

The Presidency added that President Tinubu wants officers to return to “their core police duties.”

To strengthen the shift, the President has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers nationwide, alongside plans to upgrade police training facilities in partnership with state governments.