BY EDMOND ODOK – Following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive on VIPs’ security withdrawal, several top political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, are now adjusting to public life with a reduced retinue.
Also smarting from the effect of this presidential directive that has seen the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) ordering all personnel guarding VIPs to return to base immediately are traditional leaders and some prominent businessmen across the country.
Complying with the order, the 50 Police Mobile Force Squadron in Kubwa, Abuja, has issued a memo directing all officers attached to about 20 VIPs to immediately return to base by 2:00 pm on Thursday, 27th November 2025.
The memo, with referenced number AB: 4087/FCT/50PMF/VOL.10, and signed by CSP Suleiman Abdullahi, stated: “All personnel attached to the underlisted VIPs are to report back to base without delay for immediate redeployment.”
Among VIPs listed in the internal memo are: Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, Nyesom Wike, Aisha Buhari, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, HRM Ogiame Atuwatse III, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
The list also include Senator Ahmed Lawal, Senator Tanko Almakura, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, Hon. Ibrahim Massari, and many others.
During a high-level security meeting in Abuja recently, the President had directed that police escorts assigned to VIPs be pulled back, saying such officers must “focus on their core policing responsibilities” to strengthen security across the country, especially in underserved areas.
The meeting included the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; IGP Kayode Egbetokun; and DSS DG Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
By this new policy direction, VIPs in need of security details must now apply to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), because the Police will no longer be in a position to provide such services.
