- Police Order Nationwide Arrest of Officers Escorting VIPs.
- Memo warns supervisors of disciplinary action for non-compliance nationwide.
- Directive aims to redeploy officers to core policing responsibilities.
The Nigerian Police Force has issued a nationwide directive ordering the immediate arrest of any officer found providing personal security to Very Important Persons outside authorised duty posts, enforcing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent instruction on the withdrawal of VIP escorts.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the directive was contained in a confidential police wireless message dated November 30, 2025, and signed by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. It was circulated to senior officers across all police formations, stressing the urgency and non-negotiable nature of the new policy.
According to Sahara Reporters, the memo was sent to specialised units including the Mobile Police Force, VIP Protection Unit, Counter-Terrorism Unit, and all state and area commands. It clearly stated that any officer found escorting a VIP would be immediately apprehended.
The memo warned supervisory officers that they would face consequences for failing to ensure compliance. It stated, “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.”
Enforcement responsibility has been restricted to Compol X-Squads and the IGPMU to ensure close monitoring and adherence across commands. The directive was marked “very important,” signalling that the instruction is final and requires immediate compliance.
This NPF memo follows President Tinubu’s November 23, 2025 directive ordering the withdrawal and redeployment of police officers from VIP protection duties. The President said officers must return to core policing responsibilities to enhance public safety and national security.
The presidential order was issued during a high-level security meeting in Abuja attended by 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.
