The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris, on Monday ordered an immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to some political office holders and very important personalities, VIPs, in the country, citing the security challenges facing Nigeria as reason.
The police boss announced the latest development during a conference with senior officers in Abuja. He stated that the directive also affected private businessmen, multi-national companies and other corporate organizations who are enjoying special police protection.
He explained that a task force has consequently been constituted at the Force headquarters under the command of ACP Mohammed Dankwara to ensure compliance to the directive while state commissioners of police are to replicate same at their commands.
Announcing his plans to withdraw the policemen on private guard duty, the IGP said, “In view of the current security challenges in the country, it has become expedient for the Nigeria Police Force to streamline the deployment of its personnel attached to political and public office holders, aimed at enhancing effective and efficient policing of the country.
“To this effect, a memo will be forwarded to the President for approval which will serve as a guideline or template for deployment to VIPs, political and public office holders in the country. Accordingly, a directive for withdrawal of all police officers deployed to VIPs, political and public office holders with immediate effect, is hereby given.”
In response to the IGP’s directive, the former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili has ridiculed the order by the Inspector General of Police, for immediate withdrawals police officers attached to individuals and private companies, saying the directive will not be complied with like in the past.
Ezekwesili said Nigerians would not take the order serious as the police have been turned into maids and gatekeepers for the VIPs.
She also lamented that the police offices have been degraded and badly treated by politicians in the country.
See Senator Dino Melaye’s reaction as well:
