ABUJA, Nigeria — The Nigeria Police Force has pledged to reassess the deployment of its Mobile Police Force (MPF) operatives to protect private individuals.
The commitment came in response to a viral video showing a group of police officers guarding a man who seemed to be on his way to slaughter a cow for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The video raised concerns over the use of police resources for private security purposes.
Force Public Relations Officer, Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Thursday, June 29, 2023 expressed condemnation of the actions of the seven police officers featured in the video, describing it as “disgusting”.
This is condemned. We will fish out these men. It's even disgusting. We have set up a committee to look into the process of withdrawing our PMF/tactical men from such services and use them for the announced Quick Intervention Squad. https://t.co/CG0klDtx85
— Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi (@Princemoye1) June 29, 2023
He announced that a committee has been established to investigate the process of withdrawing MPF and tactical units from such services, and redirect them towards the newly announced Quick Intervention Squad.
“This is condemned. We will fish out these men. It’s even disgusting. We have set up a committee to look into the process of withdrawing our PMF/tactical men from such services and use them for the announced Quick Intervention Squad,” Adejobi stated.
No. That's the message. We intend to police the system rather than individuals. We need to establish the QIU and sustain it, so we need more men on the special operations. Definitely, many of the men attached to individuals will be withdrawn, https://t.co/luoiY9sDkE
— Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi (@Princemoye1) June 29, 2023
Adejobi confirmed that the deployment of police officers to private individuals will be critically reviewed and regulated. He assured that as soon as the committee submits its report, the Acting Inspector General of Police will act swiftly to implement the necessary changes to the policy.
No one stops the private security guards. The whole system and procedures will be reviewed in the general interest of our country's safety. https://t.co/Ne2jp4ecX3
— Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi (@Princemoye1) June 29, 2023
“We need more men to police than guard individual Nigerians,” Adejobi said. “We can assure Nigerians of a better policing system in no distant time.”
This development indicates a shift in focus for the Nigeria Police Force, prioritizing public safety and security over private security services. The outcome of the committee’s findings and subsequent actions by the Acting Inspector General of Police are awaited with interest by the Nigerian public.
