Security personnel detain police officers on escort duty for defying President Tinubu’s orders in Abuja

Military authorities have taken into custody four police officers accused of providing unauthorized escort services to a VIP, which violates the presidential directive mandating the withdrawal of police officers from VIP protection duties.

Police sources disclosed that the arrest occurred on Dec. 17 at about 9:30 a.m., while the officers were reportedly on escort duty.

Those arrested were identified as ASP Musa Waziri and Insp. Jeremiah Achimogu both attached to 45 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Abuja; Insp. Awipi Terry of 21 PMF; and Insp. Hassan Baba of 50 PMF, Abuja.

According to security sources, the officers were arrested by military personnel after allegedly flouting the presidential order withdrawing police personnel from VIP escort duties.

The sources further disclosed that the policemen were dressed in uniforms similar to that of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), allegedly in an attempt to evade detection and deceive enforcement personnel.

The arrested officers have since been detained, while disciplinary procedures have been initiated against them in line with extant regulations.

The Federal Government had earlier directed the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from unauthorised VIP protection duties to redeploy manpower to core policing and internal security operations across the country.

Source: Zagazola Makama