An order withdrawing police officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) has been issued by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar Adamu.
A police wireless message on Wednesday conveyed the directive.
This development comes after a two weeks of protests by Nigerians demanding an end to police brutality in the country.
The directive which was issued to police zonal commands and which is to take immediate effect, said only those attached to government houses, the senate president and the speaker of the house of representatives are exempted.
“Inspector-general of police directs you to withdraw all protect personnel attached to all VIPs, except those attached to government houses, senate president, speaker, house of representatives with immediate effect,” the message read.
“Any commander who violates this order will bear the consequences. Any protect personnel found escorting or guarding any VIP with or without firearm is deemed to be deployed by the commander and the commander will be sanctioned.”
Operatives that are withdrawn by the directive were directed to report to their commands.
Ibrahim Idris, the immediate past IGP had issued such directive which was almost immediately cancelled and the affected officers we told to remain with VIPs.
