The police authorities have suspended till further notice
special protection for political office holders and very important persons in
some states in the South-East and South-South.
The force directed its men not to accompany their principals
to Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers States until the security
situation improved in the areas.
The order was sequel to the unceasing attacks on security
operatives and formations in the South-East and part of South-South zones by
suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
The directive was contained in a wireless message with
reference CB: 0900/DTS/DOPS/VOL.47/812X, titled, ‘Attack on policemen,
snatching of rifles by IPOB,’ issued by the Commissioner of Police, Asaba,
Delta State.
The signal was copied to the Chief Security Officer,
Government House, Chief Superintendent of Police, Department of Operations, Delta
State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, Delta State House of
Assembly, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation annex, among others.
The wireless message read, “Sequel to the incessant attacks
on policemen and snatching of arms and ammunition by the proscribed IPOB/ESN
(Eastern Security Network) elements in the eastern states of Abia, Anambra,
Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers, COMPOL DOPS directs you warn personnel that
escort of their principals to the six eastern states is suspended forthwith until
security situation improves. Ensure strict compliance, please.’’
Since December 2020, no fewer than 12 police stations have
been set ablaze while over 40 security personnel were killed by gunmen and
scores of firearms stolen in the wave of attacks on security formations in the
South-East and South-South regions.
The force spokesman, Frank Mba, noted that the police order
was legitimate noting that the command’s Commissioner of Police had the
prerogative to optimise his men for the protection of the public and
infrastructure.
He stated, ‘’If unknown gunmen as you people normally put
it, numbering like 12 or 20 launch an
attack on an escort of two men, surely they will overwhelm them because they
will outnumber you and outgun you. This is the issue the directive was trying
to cure.’’
Meanwhile, the acting Inspector-General of Police, Usman
Baba, has ordered a nationwide deployment of police officers and other
operational assets for water-tight security ahead of the 2021 Eid-el-Fitr
celebration and beyond.
The IGP’s order was contained in a directive to Assistant
Inspectors-General of Police, Commissioners of Police and other strategic
commanders of the Force as part of efforts toward stabilizing security,
improving public safety and making the country a safer place for all citizens.
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