Legal Nigeria

Police deploy team to enforce withdrawal of security from VIPs

The police are set to implement the presidential directive on withdrawal of police orderlies from unauthorised persons.
President Muhammadu Buhari gave the directive last week when he met with the Ministry of Police Affairs.
A statement yesterday by the Police Service Commission (PSC) said Very Important Persons (VIPs) not entitled to police orderlies should look elsewhere for security cover.
According to a statement by Head, Press and Public Relations of the Commission, Ikechukwu Ani, a high level monitoring team had been deployed at the airports, highways and other public places to enforce the directive.
The statement quoted the Chairman of the commission, Mr Mike Okiro, as saying that the team had the powers to stop VIPs’ on the highways and airports to confirm their status.
He said any erring VIP or policeman caught in such unauthorised beat would be prosecuted.
Okiro said the commission and the leadership of the Police will enforce the presidential directive to the letter.
He stressed that henceforth only authorised government officials and VIPs’ will be entitled to police security.
Okiro noted that the nation could not be battling with inadequate Police personnel while majority of these scarce officers were in the service of few privileged Nigerians.
“Nigeria Police will now be structured to do its primary duties of providing internal security and protecting lives and property,’’ Okiro said.
He said that commission would give the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force the required support and encouragement to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness.
The chairman warned that the commission would not hesitate to discipline any police officer who flouts the presidential directive by hanging onto these VIPs’ for pecuniary gains.
(NAN)