By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, yesterday ordered the withdrawal of all police officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs), in the country, including political and public office holders.
Idris, who stated this in Abuja during a conference with senior officers, said the decision was to enable the police arrest the rising security challenges in the country.
“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,” he stated.
The police boss stated that the directive also affected private businessmen, multi-national companies and other corporate organizations enjoying special police protection.
The IG further said that a task force had 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.
IG Idris, however, explained that businessmen, corporate organisations and individuals who required special police protection and “are found worthy,” would be considered by the Special Protection Unit of the force on application for re-validation through the state Commissioners of Police where they are resident.
“By so doing, I am charging the Commissioners of Police with the responsibility of supervising such official deployment, and, thereby, holding them accountable”.
He expressed displeasure over abuse of police Supernumerary number plates and the illegal use of siren and covering of vehicle number plates by motorists and warned the culprits to desist.
He also directed the holders of the police SPY number plates to return them to the Force Transport Officer and apply for re-validation.
To ensure stiff compliance with the directives, the police boss directed the state CPs to enforce the directive and arrest violators, adding that the list of task force teams that would ensure compliance to the order should be sent to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Operations.
