By Kamil Opeyemi
The police on Thursday clarified its directive on the withdrawal of its operatives from Very Important Persons (VIPs) in the country. The Force said that the clarification became necessary in view of alleged wrong interpretations being accorded the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
In a statement released by the Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, which was made available to the NPO Reports, the force said VIPs who are in need of special protections would continue to enjoy the service.
“It’s crucial to provide clarifications to address this. First and foremost, let us be clear: at no point did the Force intend to strip VIPs (who are legally and statutorily entitled to Police escorts) of their security details,” the statement said.
It added that doing so would be unsafe and counterproductive explaining also that Instead, “the objective is to reassign the withdrawn PMF personnel to the recently established Special Intervention Squad (SIS).”
The statement went further, “For those who genuinely require specialized Police escorts, this vital service will continue to be provided by other units of the Force, such as the Special Protection Unit (SPU).
“ However, individuals who do not fall within and enjoy the legal framework for such security details would strictly be screened and their applications thoroughly assessed for consideration, if necessary.
“To eliminate any misunderstandings, it’s crucial to clarify that the withdrawal of Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel does not equate a blanket ban on all Police Officers from providing VIP escort services.”
The statement also explained that this withdrawal pertains specifically to PMF personnel, who are just one unit within the broader Police Force.
“We encourage everyone to read the full contents of our press statements rather than giving headlines whimsical meanings and spreading distorted information.
“For a comprehensive understanding of this matter, we strongly recommend you peruse our press releases dated 29th June, 2023, 10th July, 2023, and 24th July 2023. These statements provide a clear and accurate perspective on this directive.”