The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the immediate arrest of any policeman found escorting VIPs, The Nation has confirmed.
The directive, contained in a signal issued on November 30, ordered the IGP Monitoring Unit and Commissioners of Police X-Squads to ensure strict monitoring and compliance.
The Nation reports that the arrest order came amidst reports that some of the personnel attached to non-entitled VIPs who were asked to return to base following the pronouncement by President Bola Tinubu were yet to comply.
Worried by escalating insecurity and the need for more police officers to protect the populace, President Tinubu, on November 23, ordered the immediate withdrawal of officers on VIP protection, directing that those seeking personal security should request the service from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Although the IGP announced last Thursday that over 11,000 personnel have been withdrawn from VIPs, images and footage of cops still serving non-public officials flooded social media.
To ensure strict compliance, the IGP on Sunday issued the directive on arrest, instructing specialised units to comply fully.
The wireless message, addressed to the Department of Operations, Assistant Inspectors General of Police, Zones, Mobile Police Force, VIP Protection Unit, Counter-Terrorism Force, Federal Operations Unit, and all state and area commands, emphasised that any police officer caught escorting a VIP outside official duty areas would be immediately arrested.
It also warned that disciplinary actions would be taken against any erring supervising officer.
Contacted, the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development, adding that only those lawfully entitled to police protection would retain their escorts.
