In defiance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s order to remove police officers from VIP protection responsibilities, the Nigerian military has detained four police officers for allegedly providing unapproved escort services to a VIP.
Zagazola Makama was informed by police sources that the arrest happened on December 17 at approximately 9:30 a.m. while the officers were supposedly on escort duty.
Inspector Awipi Terry of 21 PMF, Inspector Hassan Baba of 50 PMF, and Assistant Superintendent of Police Musa Waziri and Inspector Jeremiah Achimogu of 45 Police Mobile Force, Abuja were among those detained.
Security sources claim that when the officers allegedly disobeyed the presidential order prohibiting police officers from offering VIP escort services, they were arrested by military personnel.
The sources further said that the police officers were allegedly trying to avoid detection and mislead law enforcement officials by donning clothes that resembled those of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The policemen were detained after being arrested, and it was reported that disciplinary actions were taken against them in accordance with Nigeria Police Force norms.
In an attempt to reallocate personnel to core policing duties and internal security operations around the nation, the Federal Government had already ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers from unapproved VIP protection duty.
The directive was intended to address growing security issues around the country and increase police presence for regular law enforcement.
