ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigerian Federal Government has withdrawn the Police Mobile Force, PMF, personnel who were previously assigned to guard “very important persons”, VIPs, including ex-governors, former ministers, and lawmakers.
This move also affects Daura Buhari, the brother of former President Muhammadu Buhari, former First Lady Aisha Buhari’s sibling, and former secretary to the government of the federation, Boss Mustapha.
This decision follows a recent declaration by the Inspector General (IG) of Police, who vowed to withdraw PMF personnel from VIP escort and guard duties to focus on the country’s internal security architecture.
The IG announced plans to establish a Special Intervention Squad of 40,000 highly trained police officers, including selected officers from the PMF.
IG Egbetokun stated during a meeting with Squadron leaders and Tactical Commanders in Abuja on June 26, 2023, “We shall affect the withdrawal of PMF personnel from VIP escort/guard duties. We must realign our priorities to address the nation’s escalating security challenges.”
The new Special Intervention Squad, consisting of specially trained elite officers, will be formed from existing PMF personnel and tactical units nationwide.
These officers will undergo intensive pre-deployment training to make them combat-ready for operational duties in all states, particularly in areas plagued by unrest.
Egbetokun emphasized, “By pooling together the expertise and experience of our PMF personnel and other tactical units, we can establish a formidable force that is well-equipped to handle the evolving challenges we face.”
To ensure a smooth transition, the IG has set up a committee led by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations), Adeleke Bode, to assess and advise on implementing these new policies.
The government’s commitment to prioritizing national security over individual protection may significantly shift the country’s security paradigm.
Nigeria’s New Police Boss Encourages Use of ‘NPF Rescue Me App’
Acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has on Saturday, July 8, 2023, urged all Nigerians to adopt and utilize the ‘NPF Rescue Me App’.
The mobile application offers citizens a platform to alert the Police Force in times of emergency promptly.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, elaborates that the initiative is designed to expedite response times and assist the public. It’s part of a broader effort by the Nigeria Police Force to foster more effective community engagement.
“The ‘NPF Rescue Me App’ is available on both the Android and iOS application stores for free downloads and usage,” the statement read in part.
Egbetokun made the remarks while touring the National Command and Control Centre (C4i) facility and the Nigeria Police Crime and Incidence Database Centre, NPCIDC, at the Louis Edet House, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Adejobi expressed that the purpose of the tour was to underline the IGP’s commitment to integrating smart policing strategies into the operations of the Nigerian Police Force.
Throughout the tour, the IGP reiterated the Police Force’s endeavors in adopting state-of-the-art technologies. He encouraged officers to fully utilize these resources to enhance their operations and improve service delivery to the public.
