Igp Withdraws Police From Ex-Govs, Lawmakers

The Federal Government has taken a significant step by withdrawing Mobile Police Force personnel from their attachments to several Very Important Persons, including ex-governors, former ministers, and lawmakers.

The order came through a police wireless message from Mopol 45 Force Headquarters in Abuja and affected individuals such as Daura Buhari, brother to former President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as the sibling of former First Lady Aisha Buhari and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

This decision follows a recent commitment by the Inspector-General of Police (IG) to end the practice of assigning Police Mobile Force personnel to VIP escort and guard duties.

The IG also announced plans to establish a new Special Intervention Squad comprising 40,000 highly trained police officers, which will include selected officers from the Police Mobile Force.

The aim of these measures, as stated by the IG, is to prioritize addressing the country's escalating security challenges and allowing the police to regain their role in the internal security architecture

. During a meeting with Squadron leaders and Tactical Commanders in Abuja on June 26, the IG emphasized the need to redirect the focus and efforts of the PMF personnel towards critical security concerns affecting the entire nation.

The Special Intervention Squad will be carefully formed by handpicking officers from existing Police Mobile Force personnel and tactical units nationwide.

These officers will undergo intensive pre-deployment training to equip them for frontline operational duties, particularly in areas afflicted by unrest and turmoil.

The move is seen as a strategic effort to create a formidable force by harnessing the expertise and experience of the PMF personnel and other tactical units, better equipped to tackle the evolving challenges faced by the nation.

To ensure a smooth implementation of these new policies, Egbetokun established a committee led by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations), Adeleke Bode, to assess and provide guidance.