Shehu Sani Reacts After IG Of Police Said That He Will Withdraw Mobile Police Escorts From VIPs

The acting Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has said that he would withdraw Police Mobile Force personnel from VIP escort/guard duties. He also established the Special Intervention Squad, and revealed that it would have 40,000 highly trained police officers, including selected officers from the Police Mobile Force. The statement from Egbetokun has been generating mixed reactions from members of the public, and one of those who reacted was the former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani.

While speaking during a meeting with Squadron leaders and Tactical Commanders in Abuja, Egbetokun said that the action is to allow the police to regain its pride of place in the internal security architecture of the country.

In the report which was made by The Punch, Egbetokun said that the new special squad will not perform routine duties, but that they would be housed and kept ready for combat at all times. He said that they would be engaging in daily training in readiness for deployments to intercept and neutralize top criminals and those who are wreaking havoc in our communities.

He added – “We shall effect the withdrawal of PMF personnel from VIP escort/guard duties. While the protection of dignitaries remains paramount, it is imperative that we realign our priorities to address the escalating security challenges faced by the nation as a whole. By relieving PMF of escort and guard duties, we can redirect their focus and efforts toward addressing critical security concerns that affect our communities at large.”

In his reaction to the development, Shehu Sani said that whenever a new IG of Police comes into office, one of the first things they usually do is to withdraw police officers from VIPs and also remove checkpoints, but some months later, police officers will return to VIPs and checkpoints will also come back. He added that he hopes the situation will be different this time around.

In the post he made his official Twitter handle, he said – “All new IG of Police do these two things: withdrawing policemen from the VIPs and removing checkpoints. Months later, the police will return to the VIPs and the checkpoints will return too. I hope this one will be different.”