Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris, has ordered the withdrawal of all policemen attached to Very Important Personalities (VIPs), political and public office holders in the country. Idris gave the order at the monthly meeting with senior police officers, from Commissioners of Police (CPs) and above, yesterday at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. In his opening remark, the police boss said: “In view of the current security challenges in the country, it has become expedient for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) 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 President Muhammadu Buhari for approval which will serve as a guideline or template for deployment to VIP, 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. This directive includes business entrepreneurs, multi-national companies as well as corporate individuals.” He disclosed that a Task Force has been constituted at the FHQ under the Command of ACP Mohammed Adamu Dankwara to ensure compliance, while the Command Commissioners of Police (CPs) are to replicate same at their various commands.
Speaking further, Idris said business entrepreneurs, multinational organisations, corporate individuals and entities that require such services, and are found to be worthy, will be considered, and officers from the Special Protection Unit (SPU) of the NPF deployed, on application for re-validation through the CPs where they are resident. He said: “The CPs are to profi le and recommend if such applicants merit the services for approval. By so doing, I am charging the CPs with the responsibility of supervising such official deployment and thereby holding them accountable.”
On the abuse of Police Spy Number Plates, covering of number plates as well as illegal use of siren, Idris said: “I have equally observed the excessive abuse of Spy Number Plate, Covering of Number Plates and illegal use of sirens. “The Police spy numbers exclusively approved for use by banks, security companies and multinational companies is grossly abused; a situation where criminals now take advantage of this to perpetrate heinous crimes. “Some individuals have formed the habit of covering their vehicle plate numbers and also illegally use siren.
This practice should stop forthwith. “I have, therefore, directed that holders of all Police Spy plate numbers are to return them to the Force Transport Officer at the FHQ, where they are expected to apply for re-validation.”
The police boss further stated that the Task Force under ACP Dankwara will ensure compliance to this directive and arrest violators. “A similar Task Force is to be formed at the Command levels by State Commissioners of Police to ensure compliance with this directives and list of the Task Force Team be forwarded to reach DIG Operations latest March 31, 2018.”
