Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector Basic of Police (IGP), has ordered the withdrawal of 11,566 law enforcement officials beforehand deployed to Very Essential Individuals (VIPs) and particular safety duties nationwide, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive issued on November 23.
Asserting the event at a press convention in Abuja on Thursday, Egbetokun mentioned the affected officers have been reassigned to frontline policing duties in what he described as a renewed effort to boost nationwide safety.
He emphasised that the transfer was not an abandonment of the police’s duty to guard dignitaries, however a strategic determination to strengthen operational capability throughout the nation.
The police chief dismissed claims circulating on social media that greater than 120,000 officers have been hooked up to non-public people, describing them as fully false.
Learn additionally: Police withdrawal order to upend N108bn VIP security economy
He famous that the presidential directive offered the precise determine of 11,566 officers, including that such misinformation fuels pointless public confusion.
“These claims are lies. What number of law enforcement officials will we even have in Nigeria?” he queried.
Egbetokun acknowledged that earlier makes an attempt to withdraw police personnel from VIP safety had been unsuccessful resulting from political stress and resistance from influential people.
This time, nonetheless, he insisted that the clear backing of President Tinubu ensures full compliance.
He harassed that no governor, affiliate or member of the family would be capable to affect the implementation of the directive, saying:
“No governor, no pal, no member of the family will stress me once more. It’s a presidential directive”, he added.
In keeping with the IGP, the redeployment of the officers is anticipated to considerably enhance police presence and response capability nationwide, notably at a time when the pressure is grappling with manpower shortages.
He assured that welfare and satisfactory help would stay a precedence, particularly for officers posted to rural and high-risk areas.
The redeployed personnel, he mentioned, can be strategically positioned in areas the place their presence is most wanted to discourage crime and strengthen safety visibility.
Egbetokun additionally gave an replace on current police operations throughout the nation, saying instructions recorded notable achievements because the final operational briefing.
He disclosed that 822 suspects have been arrested for offences starting from armed theft and kidnapping to murder.
Throughout the identical interval, the police recovered 249 firearms, 20,989 rounds of ammunition and 38 stolen autos. A complete of 232 kidnapped victims have been additionally rescued.
With the festive season approaching, the IGP mentioned police anticipate elevated journey and a potential rise in prison exercise.
He revealed {that a} nationwide deployment plan has been activated to make sure security throughout the interval.
“This consists of strengthened freeway patrols, intensified intelligence-led operations, surveillance drone deployment and joint safety actions throughout main routes and border corridors”, he said.
On college security, Egbetokun reaffirmed that the Faculty Safety Squad stays operational and has efficiently prevented a number of tried assaults regardless of current incidents.
Learn additionally: Tinubu orders withdrawal of police from VIPs, approves recruitment of 30,000 officers
He harassed that even a single assault on a faculty is unacceptable and vowed that the pressure wouldn’t relent in defending weak communities.
He additionally confirmed that an investigation has been ordered into the latest school-related safety breach to make sure accountability and stop a recurrence.
The IGP warned towards makes an attempt to politicise the presidential directive or unfold misinformation.
He mentioned all tips and safeguards regarding the implementation can be communicated via official channels.
Egbetokun urged Nigerians to recognise the continuing efforts of the police, highlighting that the pressure continues to document vital arrests and recoveries throughout the nation every day.
