Police disown memo on ‘withdrawal of officers’ from Atiku, Wike

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has rejected reports that officers attached to some high-profile individuals have been ordered to return to base immediately.

On Sunday, President Bola Tinubu ordered the removal of police personnel assigned to very important persons (VIPs) across the country.

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said the officers would be redeployed to core policing duties amid rising insecurity.

The presidency described the directive as part of a broader national security strategy aimed at boosting police efficiency and strengthening public safety.

Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), later said 11,566 officers had been withdrawn in line with the presidential directive.

Afterwards, a report claimed that the Mobile Force, 50 Squadron in Kubwa, Abuja, issued urgent instructions for personnel assigned to VIPs — including former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); former first lady Aisha Buhari; Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN); and Ogiame Atuwatse III, Olu of Warri — to report back to base by Thursday, November 27.

The purported memo, allegedly signed by CSP Suleiman Abdullahi, administrative officer of 50PMF Kubwa, outlined that officers attached to 20 VIPs were to return to base and that attendance would be taken from the nominal roll.

It further stated that officers attached to VIPs across SPU Base 16 in Lagos were also required to return to base before the close of business on November 24 and attend a lecture parade the following day.

Benjamin Hundeyin, force public relations officer, asked the public to disregard the referenced document, describing it as “fake”.

“The referenced document is fake. There is no CSP Suleiman Abdullahi in 50PMF, neither is the administrative officer of any squadron a CSP. Please, disregard this!,” Hundeyin said in a post on X.