The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to eminent Lagosians, including government officials.
The affected individuals include serving and former lawmakers, former ministers, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), popular business personalities and so on.
In the new directive, the IGP told his subordinates that he was aware that his previous order on the withdrawal of police officers was flouted.
The serving lawmakers include Nicholas Mutu and Shina Peller; former lawmakers affected include Lado Yakubu and Boroface Ajayi; Babachir Lawal, a former SGF is also affected while ex-ministers affected include Femi Fani-Kayode and Bashir Yuguda.
Some other personalities and organisations listed include The Christ Embassy, Think Nigeria First Initiative, Uche Sylva International, Stanel Groups and KYC Holding.
Other persons on the list include; former Senator Lado Yakubu, Ambassador Yuguda Bashir, Uche Chukwu, Boroface Ajayi, Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Edozie Madu, David Adesanya, Chris Giwa, Godwin Ekpo and Pius Akinyelure.
“The attention of the inspector general of police has been drawn to the fact that the police personnel attached to the under listed corporate bodies and personalities are yet to be withdrawn in spite of extant directives to that effect.
“In line with the subsisting orders, the inspector general of police directs that you withdraw all the PMF, SPU, CTU or conventional police operatives attached to the above listed companies/individuals in any of their locations across the country with immediate effect.”
“It is the added directives of the inspector general of police that you submit a report confirming compliance and furnishing a detailed breakdown (by ranks/name) of all the personnel withdrawn from each of the corporate bodies/personalities as well as the location from where they are withdrawn from.”
“Your compliance report is to be submitted to the inspector general of police not later than Tuesday, 10th November 2020,” the IGP said.
The IGP’s directive was contained in a wireless message dated November 4, 2020, and addressed virtually to all zonal Assistant Inspector-Generals (AIGs) and all state Commissioners of Police.
The letter with reference number CB/4001/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.116/32 was signed by Idowu Owohunwa, the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP.
He, however, exempted the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, from the directive.
The sudden withdrawal is happening after President Muhammadu Buhari announced a reform of the police in Nigeria.
Recall that Nigerians had, in October, taken to the streets to protest against police brutality.
The protesters also demanded the immediate disbandment of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) and the reform of the police.
The #EndSARS protests lasted for over two weeks and led to the death of at least 40 persons and destruction of lives and properties after it was hijacked by hoodlums who took advantage of a government crackdown.
