Police Withdrawal: IGP Suspends Order, Says Officers To Remain With VIPs

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has reversed temporarily the order to withdraw police orderlies from politicians and Very Important Persons (VIPs).

Jimoh Moshood, the police spokesman, announced this in a statement on Thursday.

Recall that Idris, on Monday, ordered the withdrawal of all police details attached to politicians, public service holders and VIPs nationwide.

The police boss said the directive became imperative amidst worsening security challenges in the country.

But in a statement on Thursday, Moshood said the IGP’s decision to temporarily suspend the directive was to enable the Force carry out a thorough assessment of the deployment.

“The withdrawal will now take effect from April 20,” he said

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

According to the spokesman, the IGP has ordered police officers across the country to “revise and return those already withdrawn to their duty posts pending the new date”.

He continued: “The task force teams set up by the IG at the force headquarters, the force x–squad and others set up by the AIGs and CPs, have equally been directed by Idris to suspend the enforcement of the withdrawal with immediate effect pending the new date.

“Members of the public, political and political office holders, including VIPs and other categories of enterprises 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 20th April 2018.

“The renewed commitment of the Nigeria police force to guarantee the protection of lives and property across the country remains unequivocal and unwavering.”