IG reverses self on withdrawal of police personnel from VIPs

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris, on Thursday, announced a shift in the enforcement of the withdrawal of police personnel attached to political and public office holders, VIPs, public and private companies and other categories of enterprises and business outfits and corporate individuals throughout the country.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Thursday, by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Jimoh Moshood

According to the statement, “‎the withdrawal will now take effect on April 20, 2018, as against March 31, the deadline earlier announced.

“This is to enable the Force to carry out a thorough assessment of the current deployment and carry out appropriate withdrawal.”

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The FRPO stated that the adjustment was made after the meeting of the IGP held with Senior officers in Abuja to assess the situation  during the week

He revealed that the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations of the Force had been mandated by the IGP to direct all the Commissioners of Police and their supervising Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in the States and Zonal Commands across the country to halt the withdrawal, revise and return those already withdrawn to their duty posts pending the new date of 20th of April, 2018.

According to him, “‎the Task Force Teams set up by the IGP at the Force Headquarters, the Force X – Squad and others set up by the Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioner of Police at the Zonal and State Commands have equally been directed by the Inspector-General of Police to suspend the enforcement of the withdrawal with immediate effect pending the new date

“For the avoidance of doubt, members of the Public, Political and Public Office Holders, VIPs, Public and Private Companies and other categories of enterprises and business outfits and corporate individuals and other entities are to retain the Police Officers currently with them on deployment

“They may be provided after the expiration of the period, if found worthy from the Special Protection Unit of the Force but should apply for re-validation through the Commissioner of Police of the State they are domiciled before the expiration of the new date of April 20, 2018

“The renewed commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to guarantee the protection of Lives and Property across the country remains unequivocal and unwavering.”