The military has arrested four police officers for allegedly providing unauthorised VIP escort services in defiance of President Bola Tinubu’s directive withdrawing policemen from private protection duties.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the arrest took place on December 17 at about 9:30 a.m., while the officers were reportedly on escort duty for a VIP.
Those arrested were identified as 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.
According to security sources, the officers were apprehended by military personnel after allegedly flouting the presidential order banning police involvement in VIP escort services.
The sources further disclosed that the policemen were dressed in uniforms resembling those of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), allegedly in an attempt to evade detection and mislead enforcement personnel.
Following their arrest, the officers were detained, while disciplinary processes were immediately initiated against them in line with existing regulations.
The Federal Government had earlier ordered the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from unauthorised VIP protection duties, explaining that the move was aimed at redeploying manpower to core policing functions and strengthening internal security operations nationwide.
