The Nigerian Federal Government has issued an order to withdraw Mobile Police Force personnel who were previously assigned to various Very Important Persons (VIPs), including former governors, ex-ministers, and lawmakers. The directive was transmitted through a police wireless message from Mopol 45 Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The list of affected individuals includes Daura Buhari, the brother of former President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as a sibling of former First Lady Aisha Buhari and the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
This decision comes a few weeks after the Inspector General of Police (IG) vowed to withdraw Police Mobile Force personnel from VIP escort and guard duties. The IG also announced plans to establish a Special Intervention Squad comprising 40,000 highly trained police officers, including selected officers from the Police Mobile Force. This initiative aims to prioritize addressing the country’s escalating security challenges and enable the police to reclaim their role in the nation’s internal security architecture.
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During a meeting with Squadron leaders and Tactical Commanders in Abuja on June 26, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Egbetokun explained that relieving the Police Mobile Force of VIP escort and guard duties would allow them to redirect their efforts toward critical security concerns affecting communities nationwide. Additionally, he mentioned that a new Special Intervention Squad would be formed by selecting officers from the existing pool of Police Mobile Force personnel and other tactical units. These officers would undergo extensive training to prepare them for frontline operational duties, particularly in areas experiencing unrest and turmoil.
To ensure a smooth implementation of these new policies, Egbetokun established a committee led by Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations) Adeleke Bode. The committee’s role is to assess the situation and provide recommendations on the seamless execution of the changes.
The withdrawal of Mobile Police Force personnel from VIPs is part of the government’s efforts to address the prevailing security challenges across the country and to restructure the police force to effectively handle evolving security issues.
