Personnel of the Police Mobile Force, PMF, will soon be withdrawn from VIPs escort and guard duties.
The Acting Inspector-General of Police, I-G, Mr Olukayode Egbetokun, made this known in Abuja on Monday during a conference with the Police Tactical Commanders.
The essence of the plan, he said, was to foster trust, cooperation and confidence within the Police Force.
According to him, the police force would re-evaluate the responsibilities of the PMF with the aim of making effective use of it.
His words: “Specifically, we shall effect the withdrawal of PMF personnel from VIP escort and guard duties.
“While the protection of dignitaries remains paramount, it is imperative that we realign our priorities to address the escalating security challenges faced by the nation as a whole.
“By relieving the PMF of VIP escort and guard duties, we can redirect their focus and efforts toward addressing critical security concerns that affect our communities at large,” he said.
He added that to support the strategic plan and make needed manpower available for frontline duties, the withdrawn PMF officers would be replaced by officers of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) only where necessary.
According to him, to ensure the smooth implementation of the policy, the force would, in consultation with the Police Service Commission, invoke the Supernumerary provision of Sections 23, 24 and 25 of the Police Act 2020
“The Act allows the police to train supernumerary officers specifically for the personal protection duties of individual Nigerians who require their services,” he added.
Egbetokun said the force had set up a special committee headed by Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Operations to assess and advise on how the strategy could be implemented with ease.
He said the committee was expected to submit its report in two weeks.
He said the police would focus on enforcing the law and help to create a situation where everyone would feel protected.
