‘There’s no going back’ — police reiterate withdrawal of officers from VIPs

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have reaffirmed that there is no going back on the decision to withdraw officers from very important persons (VIPs) in the country.

In June, Olukayode Egbetokun, acting inspector-general of police (IGP), said personnel of the police mobile force (PMF) will no longer carry out VIPs escort and guard duties.

Egbetokun said the force will conduct an assessment of all the duties of the mobile police to ensure effective utilisation.

He said a special committee has been created to evaluate the strategies and how they will be enforced, adding that the team would be headed by the deputy inspector-general of police.

In a statement on Monday, Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said the policy remains valid, adding that there is “no going back”.

Muyiwa said the special committee established for the policy had submitted its report to the IGP while a process for the creation of the police quick intervention squad has been “activated”.

“The force wishes to clarify that the decision to withdraw the PMF personnel from escort and guard duties stands firm, and there will be no going back on this critical policy change,” the statement reads.

“The withdrawal process has already commenced with a comprehensive report, which has been submitted by the constituted committee assigned to oversee the seamless implementation of this directive; and the IGP has activated the mobilisation process for the establishment of the police quick intervention squad which precedes the withdrawal policy.

“The decision to withdraw police mobile force personnel from VIP duties is part of ongoing efforts to optimize the allocation of resources and enhance the efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force in its core mandate of safeguarding the lives and properties of all citizens.

“While poised to ensure a smooth transition, the Nigeria Police Force is committed to providing adequate security arrangements for VIPs who are entitled to such protection.

“Meanwhile, the force will carefully consider the provisions of sections 23 to 25 of the police act 2020, in recruiting more supernumerary officers, to handle VIP security responsibilities.

“No VIP or critical infrastructure will be left unprotected as a result of the new policy.”