Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police personnel attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) including political and public office holders nationwide.
These individuals include Femi Fani-Kayode, Hon. Abiola Shina Peller, Sen. Magnus Abe, Emeka Offor, Sen Lado Yakubu, Amb Yuguda Bashir, Hon. Uche Chukwu, Sen. Boroface Ajayi, Hon Mutiu Nicholas, Sen Tokumbo Fikayomi, Edozie Madu, David Adesanya, Hon. Chris Giwa, Chief Godwin Ekpo, Chief Pius Akinyelure and others.
The directive also affected corporate and religious bodies like Christ Embassy, Think Nigeria First Initiative, Uche Sylva International, Stanel Groups, KYC Holding, Sheiks and Bishops and many more.
Adamu, during the #EndSARS protest in October, ordered the withdrawal of police escorts attached to VIPs.
However, many dignitaries were still going around with their police security despite the withdrawal of the personnel.
In latest directive signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP, DCP Idowu Owohunwa on November 4, the police listed the names of VIPs affected by the withdrawal of orderlies in a letter.
The letter partly reads;
The attention of the IGP has been drawn to the fact that the police personnel attached to the corporate bodies and personalities are yet to be withdrawn in spite of extant directives to that effect.
In the letter tagged CB: 4001/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.116/32, all CP PMF, CP SPU, CP CPU and all Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the FCT were directed to;
Withdraw all the PMF, SPU, CTU, or conventional police operations attached to the affected companies or individuals in any of their locations across the country with immediate effect.
The concerned commanders are to submit a report confirming compliance to the office of the IGP, on or before Tuesday, November 10.
Similarly, a press release from Lagos State Police Command stated that the directive is in preparation for a proposed #Endsars protest, which is to be staged by some individuals and hired groups who may cause mayhem and security threats in Lagos State.
The Command said it has deemed it necessary to mop up more mobile men to be deployed across the state in preparation of any act of lawlessness and state of anarchy.
The statement reads;
In preparation for the proposed Endsars protest to be staged by some individuals and hired groups to cause mayhem and security threats in Lagos State, the Lagos State Police Command has ordered the commanders of the Mobile Police Squadrons and Special Protection Unit in Lagos State to withdraw their men from individuals who are not entitled to police aides and escorts in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, to augment its strength.
The Command has deemed it necessary to mop up more mobile men to be deployed across the length and breadth of the state for any eventualities as the police is no longer ready to condone any act of lawlessness, brouhaha and state of anarchy in Lagos State.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has put all police personnel and other security agents in the state on red alert, while he charged them to be professional and act according to the provisions of the law, either in quelling riots or for self defence.
It added;
The command had warned against any “peaceful” or violent protest whatsoever in the state to avert further breakdown of law and order, killings, burning and lootings that marred the recent Endsars violent protest in the state.
The Command therefore reiterates its commitment to maintenance of law and order and prevent any act that is capable of causing pains, anarchy and losses of lives and property in the state.
