Officers recalled nationwide as government redirects focus to community policing and public safety
The Nigeria Police Force has begun a sweeping withdrawal of its officers from VIP protection duties following a directive issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on November 23. The order, which takes immediate effect, marks a significant shift in national security strategy and aims to reallocate police manpower to underserved communities across the country.
In compliance with the President’s directive, the Special Protection Unit (SPU) has instructed all personnel assigned to VIPs and special beats nationwide to report back to their respective bases. A memo issued by the Commanding Officer of SPU Base 16 in Lagos, Neji Veronica, emphasized that all affected officers must return before the close of business on November 24, with a mandatory lecture parade scheduled for the following day. The memo noted that attendance would be strictly recorded from the nominal roll.
This directive introduces a new security arrangement under which VIPs requiring armed protection must now request such services from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), rather than the police. According to the Presidency, the move is designed to strengthen police visibility in communities, particularly remote and vulnerable areas, where limited personnel have often made it difficult to adequately protect residents.
Presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga explained that redeploying officers from VIP roles will allow the police to “concentrate on their core duties,” noting that many regions of the country continue to confront insecurity, including recent attacks in Kebbi and Kwara states. The withdrawal of officers is therefore intended to bolster public safety by prioritizing community policing over private protection.
To reinforce the new security strategy, President Tinubu has also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers nationwide. The federal government, in partnership with state authorities, is preparing to upgrade police training facilities to ensure that incoming recruits are adequately equipped to meet modern policing demands.
The implementation of the order marks one of the most significant reassignments within the Nigeria Police Force in recent years and signals the administration’s renewed focus on strengthening national security from the grassroots up.
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