IG Withdraws Police Officers from VIPs

Again, FG pledges to implement protesters’ demands

By Kingsley Nwezeh

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the withdrawal of all police officers attached to all very important personalities (VIPs) a in the country with immediate effect.

This is coming as the federal government has pledged to fully implement the demands of the EndSARS protesters for the overall good of policing in Nigeria.

The IG has ordered the withdrawal of policemen attached to VIPs, with the exception of those attached to government houses, the Senate President and the Speaker House of Representatives.

A police wireless message sighted by THISDAY, which was addressed to the Commissioners of Police in the 36 States and dated October 21, 2020, said “any commander who violates this order will bear the consequences.”

The signal further stated that “any protect personnel found escorting or guarding any VIP with or without a firearm is deemed to be deployed by the commander and the commander will be sanctioned.”

Meanwhile, the federal government has pledged to fully implement the demands of the EndSARS protesters for the overall good of policing in Nigeria.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Mr. Muhammad Dingyadi, gave the pledge in a statement issued yesterday by his Press Secretary, Osaigbovo Ehisienmen, in Abuja.

Dingyadi noted that the government had already scrapped the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) as demanded by the protesters.

The minister said that the implementation of other demands were at various stages.

He also noted that many state governments had set up judicial panels to deal with cases of violation of human rights by the ex-SARS operatives.

Dingyadi assured Nigerians that the panels would reel out punishments, and compensate victims with resources put together through the victims’ support fund.

“The creation of Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), to confront cases of armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes by the Police signified the commencement of activities to select and train personnel before deploying to the new unit.

“Training for SWAT personnel is ongoing at Nigeria Police Mobile Force training colleges in Osun and Nasarawa states.

“Personnel of defunct SARS are now undergoing debriefing, medical and psychological re-evaluation to ascertain their fitness for reassignment in units, different from SWAT,’’ he said.

He also pledged to ensure the full implementation of police reforms to deepen training of personnel, equip and prioritise their welfare needs.

The minister said that work was ongoing to meet three key component demands of the #ENDSARS protesters. Dingyadi regretted that the protest had been hijacked by hoodlums and criminals, who unleashed terror, attack police facilities, carry out jail breaks as well as cause wanton destruction of property in parts of the country.

According to him, citizen’s right to peaceful protest remains one of the strongest tenets of democracy, but the government is circumspect on the need to maintain law and order.

The minister appealed to Nigerians to renew confidence in the government’s genuine commitment to fully implement the various demands.

“This is to support security operatives in maintaining law and order, re-arrest fleeing inmates in Benin Correctional Centres and protect citizens against criminals,’’ he added.