The Nigeria Police Force has again warned its officers and men against escorting Very Important Persons while dressed in mufti, describing the act as a breach of existing operational guidelines.
The warning was contained in a fresh wireless message dispatched from the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Special Protection, Force Headquarters, Abuja (AIG PROTECT FHQ), to all Police Protection Units across the country.
In the signal referenced CB: 4001/DOPS/SPU/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.20, the Police High Command reiterated an earlier directive by the Inspector General of Police ordering the withdrawal of personnel from unauthorised VIP escorts and banning officers from carrying out such duties in plain clothes.
According to the message, the Police authorities expressed concern that, despite repeated instructions, some officers were still flouting the rule.
The directive noted that the practice directly contravenes the operational guidelines of the Special Protection Unit (SPU).
“It has been observed that men still follow VIPs in mufti in disregard to this order. Officers and men are to desist henceforth, as anybody caught will be dealt with accordingly,” the signal stated.
The message was copied to key police formations and protection units nationwide, including those in Kano, Lagos, Yola, Makurdi, Benin, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Sokoto, Bauchi, Abeokuta, Akure, Awka, Enugu, Ibadan, Minna, Calabar, Asaba, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Owerri and Kaduna, among others.
All units were directed to acknowledge receipt of the wireless message and treat the order as urgent and important.
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