NIGERIA: Police Debunk Viral Fake Memo, Warn Against Misinformation On Vip Security Withdrawal

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed as completely fake a widely circulated document claiming that officers attached to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and several other prominent Nigerians have been ordered to report back to base with immediate effect.

In a statement issued Friday by Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the police described the document, purportedly signed by a non-existent “CSP Suleiman Abdullahi” of 50 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Abuja, as a deliberate fabrication designed to mislead the public and create confusion.

The Force clarified that no officer bearing that name serves in the squadron and that the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police does not hold the position of Admin Officer in any PMF squadron.

While confirming that President Bola Tinubu’s directive to withdraw police personnel from VIP protection duties is being implemented, the police stressed that the process is structured, phased and professional to avoid creating any security vacuum.

“The safety and security of all Nigerians remain our priority,” the statement read.

The fake memo had gone viral on Friday evening, sparking widespread speculation that security details of high-profile opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and several serving and former governors, had been abruptly pulled claims the police say are untrue and mischievous.

Citizens have been urged to disregard the document and rely only on official police communication channels for accurate information.