The Federal Government has removed Mobile Police Force operatives assigned to many Very Important People (VIPs), including previous governors, ministers, and Reps.
The directive was conveyed in a police wireless transmission from Mopol 45 Force Headquarters in Abuja, and it affected Daura Buhari, former President Muhammadu Buhari’s brother, as well as former First Lady Aisha Buhari’s sibling and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
The news comes just a few weeks after the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Olukayode Egbetokun, announced that Police Mobile Force members would be removed from VIP escort and guard responsibilities. He had also announced plans to build the Special Intervention Squad, which he said would consist of 40,000 highly trained police officers, including officers from the Police Mobile Force.
Egbetokun stated that the withdrawal of PMF members from VIP escort and guard tasks was required to allow the police to reclaim its place in the country’s “internal security architecture.” He also stated that the decision would allow more police officers to focus on essential police activities, such as investigations and patrols.
The VIPs affected by the withdrawal order include former governors of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim and Rochas Okorocha; former governor of Bauchi, Adamu Muazu; ex-Gombe State governor, Danjuma Goje and former governors of Ogun and Zamfara, Gbenga Daniel and Bello Matawalle, respectively, among others.
The Force headquarters, in its order with reference CB: 4001/DOPS/45PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.15/353 signed by the AIG MOPOL, directed the addressees to immediately implement the directive.
The message was addressed to DSPs Lauretta Iruonagbe; Yusuf Ishaq; Okeme Emmanuel; Ilesanmi Temidayo; Emmanuel Akaniro; Yakubu Francis; Chindo Atege; Zakari Mohammed and ASPs Osori Sani; Job Andrew; Iyabo Oluwadamilola, and Yakubu Anthony who are believed to be attached to some of the affected dignitaries.
