The Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, announced that the Nigerian Police Force is set to execute President Bola Tinubu’s directive to withdraw police personnel from VIP security duties.
Speaking at a two-day management retreat, Suleiman-Ibrahim emphasized the need for a renewed focus on community policing and a commitment to aligning efforts with the President’s vision for a highly effective police force.
Highlighting the challenges faced by the police due to decades of neglect, the minister outlined key initiatives, including the review of the Police Inspectorate Department’s operations for robust monitoring and evaluation. Suleiman-Ibrahim stressed the importance of evidence-based reports and advocated for updating training curricula to reflect contemporary law enforcement practices and international standards.
Moreover, the Planning, Research, and Statistics Department was urged to position itself as a knowledge hub, fostering partnerships with research institutions and contributing historical insights for informed policymaking. The minister emphasized that mandates such as developing a harmonized police reform report, amending the Police Act, and executing the withdrawal of police personnel from VIP security duties should be seen as transformative initiatives to enhance internal security.
Notably, in June, the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, had announced plans to withdraw Police Mobile Force personnel from VIP escort/guard duties. However, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, clarified that this move did not intend to strip legally entitled VIPs of their security details. Instead, the objective was to reassign personnel to the newly established Special Intervention Squad, with specialized police escorts continuing to be provided for those who meet legal criteria.
To address misunderstandings, Adejobi urged a comprehensive understanding of the directive, directing the public to refer to the official press releases for accurate information on the matter.