BREAKING: Nigerian Police Order Personnel Assigned To Atiku, Wike, Aisha Buhari, 17 Other VIPs To Return To Base

On Sunday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed that police officers assigned to provide security for VIPs across the country be withdrawn from such duties and redeployed to focus on their core policing responsibilities.

The Nigeria Police Force’s Mobile Force, 50 Squadron in Kubwa, Abuja, has issued urgent instructions for all personnel assigned to provide security for high-profile individuals to report back to base by 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 27, 2025.

The directive, issued under reference AB: 4087/FCT/50PMF/VOL.10/ by the Squadron Commander, specifies that the order applies to officers assigned to 20 Very Important Persons (VIPs), including former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; former First Lady Aisha Buhari; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun; and the Olu of Warri, His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III.

The 20 names in memo dated November 26, 2025, are listed as follows: Chief Judge of Nigeria; FCT Minister Nyesom Wike; Former Vice President Namadi Sambo; Minister of State for Labour; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Senator Tanko Almakura; APC Women Leader; Alhaji Kamba; and the Olu of Warri.

Others are Hon. Ngozi Iweala; Senator Ahmed Lawal; Hon. Khalifa Abdul; Hon. Yusuf Gagdi; Dr. Ramatu Tijjani; Hon. Vetra; Hon. Moses Ternege; Managing Director, Barelco; Engineer Okeke; Former First Lady Aisha Buhari and Hon. Ibrahim Massari.

The announcement was signed by CSP Suleiman Abdullahi, Administrative Officer, 50PMF Kubwa, Abuja.

On Sunday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed that police officers assigned to provide security for VIPs across the country be withdrawn from such duties and redeployed to focus on their core policing responsibilities.

The presidential directive was issued during a security meeting on Sunday in Abuja, which brought together top officials, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.

Under the new arrangement, VIPs seeking protection will now be required to request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The move comes as part of President Tinubu’s efforts to strengthen policing across the country, especially in remote areas where limited manpower has made it challenging for officers to protect and defend communities effectively.

On Wednesday, SaharaReporters reported that following President Tinubu's order, the Nigerian police authorities had begun some internal adjustments.

A memo, signed by the Commanding Officer of SPU Base 16 in Lagos, Neji Veronica, instructed all officers to return to base before the close of business on November 24.

It stated, “Sequel to the directive of Mr President and Commander-in-Chief 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."

Reinforcing the urgency, the memo added, "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.”