The Nigerian Police Force has ordered the immediate arrest of any officer seen providing personal security to VIPs, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s emergency declaration.
Tinubu had in statement he personally signed ordered the withdrawal of all police personnel attached to VIPs.
The statement approved the creation of State police, while calling on the National Assembly to enact legislation that would back his approval.
The statement added that VIPs seeking protection should request for well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
In a confidential police wireless message dated November 30, 2025, and issued by the Inspector General of Police, the police authority instructed all state police commands and specialised units to strictly enforce the directive.
The message, addressed to senior officers including Department of Operations, Assistant Inspectors General of Police, Zones; Mobile Police Force, VIP Protection Unit, Counter-Terrorism Force and the Federal Operations Unit and all state and area commands, emphasised that any police officer caught escorting a VIP outside official duty areas would be immediately arrested.
“Following the presidential directive to withdraw, all states to arrest any police officer found escorting any VIP in AOR yours. Disciplinary actions will also be activated against any erring supervising officer,” the memo stated.
It further warned that supervising officers failing to ensure compliance would face disciplinary action.
The directive also restricted enforcement to Compol x-squads and the IGPMU, while ordering strict monitoring and compliance across all commands.
The memo seen by Sahara reporters was marked “very important” and indicated that no further reminders would be issued.
The move comes amid worsening insecurity and 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.
