Tinubu orders withdrawal of police escorts for Wike and other ministers

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police escorts for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other ministers.

He emphasised that this follows his earlier directive to remove policemen attached to VIPs across the country.

Tinubu also instructed the Minister of Interior, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to immediately replace officers on special security duties, ensuring that no one is left exposed.

Speaking at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, the president noted that with rising cases of kidnapping and terrorism, all security forces must be fully deployed to protect citizens.

He told the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, to liaise with state governments through the National Economic Council, NEC, on grazing reserves that can be salvaged or rehabilitated into ranches, livestock settlements.

He said he was serious with his orders on the withdrawal of police from VIPs and that it must be effective, adding that anyone who needs the services of police should take permission from the IGP, who in turn should take permission from him.

On the withdrawal of police officers, I stand by what I said. I call on the IGP, and I hope the Minister of Police Affairs is present. If you have security concerns due to the nature of your assignment, please contact the IGP and obtain my clearance.

“The Minister of Interior should liaise with the IGP on the civil defence structure to replace the police officers on special duties, ensuring that no one is left exposed. The NSA and DSS should form a committee to review the structure and ensure it is implemented.

We have faced challenges with kidnapping and terrorism, and we need to utilise all available forces. I understand that some of our people are exposed, and exceptional provisions must be made for them. Civil defence officers are equally armed, and I want to emphasise, from the NSA to arming our forest guards, we must take this very seriously.”

Tinubu orders comprehensive enforcement of police withdrawal from VVIPs, VIPs, others pic.twitter.com/cdQC0zEsqL— Temitope Hassan (@temihat) December 10, 2025

Recall that amid the worsening security situation in the country, with the recent kidnappings of students in Kebbi and Niger States, President Tinubu had directed that police officers with VIPs should be withdrawn, and he even approved additional recruitment of 20,000 police officers.

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Already, the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, said in compliance with the president’s directive, over 11,000 police officers were recalled from VIPs.

The IGP explained that the withdrawal would enable the police to expand manpower deployment for rural and township security, large-scale population protection, intensified patrols, intelligence-led operations, and rapid response to emerging threats.

He warned that the implementation of the VIP withdrawal directive would be carefully managed to prevent misinformation, impersonation, or exploitation by criminal elements.