Sixty prominent Nigerians and organisations, including the immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, and frontline businessman, Emeka Offor, on Saturday lost their privilege of personal police security.
The police personnel attached to them were ordered withdrawn by Police Inspector General Mohammed Adamu forthwith.
The IGP also ordered the deployment of legitimate force against riotous and violent protests to protect lives and property of citizens.
The police boss, in a circular with reference number CB: 4001/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.116/32 of November 4, 2020, listed the names and organisations whose police security should be withdrawn.
On the list are: Emeka Offor, Femi Fani-Kayode, Amen Rochas, Magnus Abe, Babachir Lawal, Lado Yakubu, Yuguda Bashir, Uche Chukwu, Boroface Ajayi, Mutiu Nicholas, Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Edozie Madu, David Adesanya and Chris Giwa.
Organisations mentioned include Christ Embassy, Oriental Energy Resources, ECWA Academy, and Sunti Golden Sugar Estate.
The letter, which was signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP, DCP Idowu Owohunwa, reads in part: “The attention of the IGP has been drawn to the fact that the police personnel attached to the corporate bodies and personalities are yet to be withdrawn despite extant directives to that effect.
“In line with the subsisting order, the IG directs that you withdraw all the PMF, SPU, CTU, or conventional police operations attached to the affected companies or individuals in any of their locations across the country with immediate effect.”
The IGP directed the senior officers the letter was addressed to, to submit a report confirming compliance not later than November 10, 2020.”
Adamu had earlier in an October 21, 2020 wireless message, directed that all policemen serving such purposes be recalled as part of efforts to reorganise and boost internal security nationwide.
Those exempted from the order were those attached to Government Houses, the Senate President and the Speaker House of Representatives.
The October order appeared not to have been obeyed, prompting the latest circular which was addressed to Commissioners of Police across the country, Police Mobile Force and the Special Protection Unit.
More Stories
Adesina: Women in Africa Face $42bn Financing Gap
ARCHBISHOP MARTINS CONDEMNS ETHNIC PROFILING, CALLS FOR PEACE AND TOLERANCE
Operating licence not a right, Emefiele warns banks’ chiefs