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A special team of police officers has conducted a nationwide monitoring exercise to enforce the presidential directive withdrawing police escorts from Very Important Personalities (VIPs).
The squad, led by Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police, monitored strategic locations, including the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge in Lagos, the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, and other key points.
Benjamin Hundeyin, Force Public Relations Officer, said the exercise recorded a “satisfactory and commendable level of compliance” by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.
He said no case of unauthorised deployment of officers for VIP escort duties was recorded, and no arrest was made during the operation.
Hundeyin quoted Egbetokun as reaffirming the force’s commitment to fully implement the presidential directive.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in redeploying its personnel to core policing duties aimed at enhancing general security, crime prevention, and protection of lives and property across the country,” he said.
In a wireless signal issued last week, the assistant inspector-general of police in charge of protection at force headquarters, Abuja, warned officers against escorting VIPs in mufti or uniform without authorisation, describing the practice as illegal and a violation of standing orders.
The signal, referenced CB: 4001/DOPS/SPU/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.20, noted that some officers were still in violation of the order.
“It has been observed that men still follow VIPs in mufti in disregard of this order. Officers and men are to desist henceforth, as anybody caught will be dealt with accordingly,” the signal stated.
The directive was copied to all zonal and state commands, the FCT command, and all police formations and special units.
President Bola Tinubu ordered the withdrawal of all police escorts from VIPs on November 23 and directed that affected personnel be redeployed to core policing duties to strengthen security nationwide.
Under the directive, VIPs seeking armed protection are now required to request personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
