IGP Orders Mass Demobilisation

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IGP Orders Mass Demobilisation

IGP Orders Mass

Demobilisation

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has ordered the mass demobilisation of the No. 24 Police Mobile Force Presidential Escort Unit in Abuja, with officers redeployed across Nigeria’s state and zonal commands. 

This move, conveyed through an internal police signal dated December 16, 2025, marks a significant restructuring of security personnel previously assigned to the Presidential Villa.

 

Background of the Order

The directive was issued by the Department of Finance and Administration (Welfare) at Force Headquarters, Abuja, under reference CH:5660/WEL/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.96. It instructed senior police formations nationwide to ensure the immediate redeployment of affected officers. The order was approved by the IGP and communicated to key authorities including the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Assistant Inspectors-General overseeing the Police Mobile Force, zonal commands, and Commissioners of Police nationwide. 

Scope of Redeployment

The demobilisation affects officers who had been providing close-protection duties at the Presidential Villa. They are now reassigned to their original or newly designated state commands. The redeployment covers virtually all geopolitical zones:

- North-East: Adamawa (13 officers), Bauchi (12), Borno (8), Gombe (12), Yobe (15).  

- North-West: Kebbi (18), Kaduna (14), Katsina (21), Sokoto (18), Kano (16), Jigawa (16).  

- North-Central: Niger (20), Nasarawa (15), Plateau (19), Kogi (16), Kwara (16).  

- South-East: Anambra (7), Ebonyi (9), Enugu (9), Imo (8).  

- South-South: Akwa Ibom (2), Bayelsa (4), Cross River (1), Benue (9).  

- South-West: Ekiti (10), Ondo (6), Osun (6).  

- Federal Capital Territory (FCT): 22 officers reassigned.  

- Zonal Commands: Zone 1 Kano (2 officers), Zone 3 Yola (1 officer), Zone 7 Abuja (6 officers). 

Strategic Implications

This redeployment underscores a shift in policing priorities from concentrated protection at the Presidential Villa to broader national coverage. By dispersing officers across state and zonal commands, the IGP aims to strengthen local policing capacity and balance manpower distribution. The move also signals a recalibration of security arrangements at the highest levels of government, potentially reducing the size of the dedicated presidential escort while reinforcing state-level operations.

Notifications and Oversight

The internal signal was copied to strategic offices including the Chief Personal Security Officer to the President and the Commander of No. 24 PMF, Abuja. Police formations in multiple state capitals were also notified, highlighting the wide scope and urgency of the redeployment.