..Threaten Disciplinary Action
According to the message, the Police High Command expressed concern that despite repeated instructions, some officers continue to follow VIPs in mufti, contravening the operational guidelines of the Special Protection Unit (SPU).
The Nigeria Police Force has issued a fresh directive warning officers and men against escorting Very Important Persons (VIPs) while dressed in mufti, describing the act as a violation of standing orders.
The warning was contained in a wireless message dispatched from the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Protection, Force Headquarters, Abuja (AIG PROTECT FHQ), to all Police Protection Units across the country.
The signal, referenced CB: 4001/DOPS/SPU/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.20, reiterated an earlier order from the Inspector General of Police, directing the withdrawal of personnel from unauthorised VIP escorts and banning officers from performing such duties in plain clothes.
According to the message, the Police High Command expressed concern that despite repeated instructions, some officers continue to follow VIPs in mufti, contravening the operational guidelines of the Special Protection Unit (SPU).
“It has been observed that men still follow VIPs in mufti in disregard to this order. Officers and men are to desist henceforth as anybody caught will be dealt with accordingly,” the directive stated.
The signal was copied to key police formations nationwide, including commands in Kano, Lagos, Yola, Makurdi, Benin, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Sokoto, Bauchi, Abeokuta, Akure, Awka, Enugu, Ibadan, Minna, Calabar, Asaba, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Owerri, and Kaduna, among others.
Units were instructed to acknowledge receipt and treat the order as urgent and important.
SaharaReporters reported on November 23, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed that police officers assigned to provide security for VIPs across the country be withdrawn from such duties and redeployed to focus on their core policing responsibilities.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).
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
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