POLICE POSTPONED ENFORCEMENT OF BAN ON DEPLOYMENTS FOR VIPs, OTHERS

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has said the planned regularization and standardization of police personnel deployed to political and public office holders, VIPs, public and private companies and multinationals throughout the country has been postponed. 

A statement on Thursday from Police spokesman ACP, Jimoh Moshood said the enforcement of the ban has been shifted to commence on 20th April 2018.

Moshood explained that the IGP, Ibrahim Idris after his meeting with the Commanders of Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and Special Protection Unit (SPU) on the 20th March, 2018 shifted the enforcement earlier directed as immediately.

He said, the withdrawal will now take effect from the 20th of April, 2018, to enable the Force carry out a thorough assessment of the current deployment and carry out appropriate withdrawal.

He said the IGP directed the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations to direct all the Commissioners of Police and their supervising Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in the States and Zonal Commands across the country to halt the withdrawal revise and return those already withdrawn to their duty posts pending the new date of 20th of April, 2018.

He added that, The Task Force Teams set up by the IGP at the Force Headquarters, the Force X – Squad and others set up by the Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioner of Police at the Zonal and State Commands have equally been directed by the Inspector-General of Police to suspend the enforcement of the withdrawal with immediate effect pending the new date.

He said, “For avoidance of doubt, members of the Public, Political and Public Office Holders, VIPs, Public and Private Companies and other categories of enterprises and business outfits 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 protection of Lives and Property across the country remains unequivocal and unwavering,” the statement said.