The Police authorities have made clarification on the withdrawal of escorts from VIPs as directed by the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.
In a statement signed by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, the Police authorities said, “We understand that there have been some misunderstanding regarding the directive of IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM, about withdrawing members of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) Unit from Specialized Escort and Guard Services for VIPs. It’s crucial to provide clarifications to address this”.
“First and foremost, let us be clear: at no point did the Force intend to strip VIPs (who are legally and statutorily entitled to Police escorts) of their security details. Doing so would be unsafe and counterproductive. Instead, the objective is to reassign the withdrawn PMF personnel to the recently established Special Intervention Squad (SIS). For those who genuinely require specialized Police escorts, this vital service will continue to be provided by other units of the Force, such as the Special Protection Unit (SPU).”
“However, individuals who do not fall within and enjoy the legal framework for such security details would strictly be screened and their applications thoroughly assessed for consideration, if necessary. To eliminate any misunderstandings, it’s crucial to clarify that the withdrawal of Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel does not equate a blanket ban on all Police Officers from providing VIP escort services. This withdrawal pertains specifically to PMF personnel, who are just one unit within the broader Police Force.”
“We encourage everyone to read the full contents of our press statements rather than giving headlines whimsical meanings and spreading distorted information. For a comprehensive understanding of this matter, we strongly recommend you peruse our press releases dated 29th June, 2023, 10th July, 2023, and 24th July 2023. These statements provide a clear and accurate perspective on this directive.”