Withdrawal of policemen from VIPs ongoing – Police commission

The Police Service Commission on Monday said enforcement of the directive on the withdrawal of policemen from Very Important Personalities not entitled to their services, was on course.

President Muhhamdu Buhari had directed the withdrawal of policemen from VIPs that are not entitled to police services.

The Commissioner in charge of Media at the commission, Ms Comfort Obi, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja that the commission was ensuring that the directive was enforced to the latter.

“The PSC and the current IGP are making efforts to ensure that the directive was complied with.

“I think there is a considerable level of compliance, it is not a day’s job, it is a gradual process.

“If both the PSC and the Force headquarters continue with the way they are doing, there will be an appreciable level of compliance,” she said.

She said in the face of the current security challenges, the country could not afford to allow its personnel engage in non police duty.

Obi lamented that policemen were no longer performing their constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.

“Police are no longer performing their police duty. You will see policemen at the airport carrying people’s luggages , newspapers and hand bags.

“Policemen are not employed to go and carry people’s luggages but to protect Nigerians.

She said that some of these policemen were illegally engaged by people who felt they have money.

The commissioner said that any police officer who was not happy with the directive should resign and go and work for the people they preferred to work with.

Obi said, “If they are not happy with the order, they are free to leave the service and get employed by the big men.

“I think some of them would be happy because they are being treated condescendingly.

“Many of them that have spoken to me are very happy with the order because they are shabbily treated.”

She said that police security had been abused over time.

Obi said that the IGP, who is in charge of operational aspect of the police, was serious about the directive.

(NAN)