A group known as the Coalition for South-East Youth leaders (COSEYL) has reacted to a recent directive by the Nigerian Police Force withdrawing all police escorts attached to ministers, House of Representative members and other public office holders in the South-East.
Leader of the Group, Goodluck Ibem who addressed the Press in Owerri on Thursday, disclosed that the move will bring more ‘problems’ to the country.
“Removing their security details will bring more problems in the country. We need to remind the National Security Council and the police authorities that Political office holders are not optional but constitutional. It is mandatory that the Political office holders must be protected by the security agencies paid with taxpayers’ money.”
He added that the directive was a ‘calculated move’ to expose Political office holders in the South East to attacks by hoodlums and unknown gunmen.
“It is not appropriate to give such directive to police commands only in the South East and Rivers State when the entire country is faced with the same security threats and challenges. Just two days ago, jihadists killed 31 soldiers in Northeast, Governor Babagana Zulum the executive governor of Borno State has been attacked severally by Boko Haram terrorists and his security details has not been withdrawn, then why the sudden directive in South East and Rivers State?”
“This stern and punitive decision by the National Security Council and subsequent directive by the police force proves that the police force is parochial in handling a serious matter as national security,” he said.
