The Nigerian Police Force has executed a significant operational change following a presidential mandate.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, on Thursday the 27th of November, 2025, confirmed that about 11,566 police officers previously assigned to Very Important Personalities (VIPs) have been withdrawn.
This comprehensive recall aligns with a direct instruction issued by President Bola Tinubu, who ordered the immediate withdrawal of officers assigned to VIP security across the country.
This presidential action was prompted by a noticeable increase in violent crime, including “killings, abductions, and other criminal activities by assailants,” leading to the directive being issued on the 23rd of November, 2025.
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Speaking at a meeting with senior police officers in Abuja, the IGP emphasized that the presidential order grants him the complete authority needed to fully implement the directive without interference.
The Police Chief further clarified the weight of the directive, stating that no VIP will question the recall of their security personnel since the instruction came directly from the President.
Finally, the police boss called upon his officers to maintain a high degree of professionalism and dedication in their new deployments. He urged officers to remain professional and committed to securing the nation, stressing the need for round-the-clock efforts to prevent criminal activities across the country.