Military arrests four policemen for illegal VIP escort duty

The Nigerian military has arrested four police officers for allegedly providing unauthorised escort services to a VIP in violation of President Bola Tinubu’s directive banning the use of police personnel for such duties.

Police sources said the arrest took place on December 17 at about 9:30 a.m. while the officers were reportedly engaged in VIP escort operations.

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

Security sources disclosed that the officers were apprehended by military personnel for allegedly flouting the presidential order withdrawing police officers from VIP protection assignments.

It was further alleged that the policemen were dressed in uniforms resembling those of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), purportedly to evade detection and mislead enforcement officers.

The arrested officers have since been detained, and disciplinary നടപടures have been initiated against them in line with existing regulations.

The Federal Government had earlier ordered the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from unauthorised VIP escort and protection duties to enable their redeployment to core policing and internal security operations nationwide.