Why We Withdrew Officers Attached To VIPs – Police

The Nigerian police hierarchy has disclosed why it withdrew Mobile Policemen attached to VIPs.

Recall that the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr Olukayode Egbetokun had recently ordered the withdrawal of officers attached to VIPs and companies.

He also issued a directive for the setting up of a Special Intervention Squad for quick and rapid response to tackle criminality across the country.

Shedding more light on Egbetokun’s decision, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the withdrawal was necessitated by the frequent abuse of officers attached to certain individuals and companies.

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He described the trend as “worrisome and detestable”, hence the need to curtail it.

“The decision to withdraw PMF personnel from VIPs and establish a Special Intervention Squad is aimed at ensuring a more inclusive and effective security framework that caters to the needs of all Nigerians rather than a select few.

“This strategic shift in approach recognizes the importance of equal access to security services for all citizens and seeks to enhance the overall safety and well-being of the Nigerian populace”.

The FPRO made the clarification in a statement titled ‘Proposed Withdrawal of PMF Personnel from VIPs, Establishment of Special Intervention Squad: A Workable and Unusual Process’.

He said, “The appointment of Acting Inspector-General of Police, Ag. IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun has definitely changed the rhythm of Police tradition most especially on certain administrative and operational engagements which will surely trigger a paradigm shift for the betterment of our internal security architecture.

‘It has however become pertinent to critically analyze the recent developments regarding the proposed withdrawal of Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel from Very Important Persons (VIPs) to form the Special Intervention Squad announced by the Acting Inspector General of Police.

“The incessant abuse of police officers attached to certain individuals and companies on guard or escort duty has become worrisome and detestable, particularly to the present leadership.

“This necessitates the drive to not only deploy these officers for strategic police assignments, but to also sanitize the police, review the process and deployment of men on VIP guards, in order to restore the dignity of the personnel in particular, and the NPF in general.

“The decision to withdraw PMF personnel from VIPs and establish a Special Intervention Squad is aimed at ensuring a more inclusive and effective security framework that caters to the needs of all Nigerians rather than a select few.

‘This strategic shift in approach recognizes the importance of equal access to security services for all citizens and seeks to enhance the overall safety and well-being of the Nigerian populace”