The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has announced the postponement of his order for the withdrawal of policemen attached to Very Important Personalities and private and public companies.
The announcement was contained in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, on Thursday.
The enforcement is now to commence on April 20, 2018.
Moshood said the shift in enforcement date is to enable the Force carry out a thorough assessment of the current deployment and carry out appropriate withdrawal.
Idris had before now said the delay was caused by the need to obtain the necessary approval from President Muhammadu Buhari.
Moshood said further in the statement that “the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations of the Force has been mandated by the Inspector General of Police to direct all the Commissioners of Police and their supervising Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in the States and Zonal Commands across the country to halt the withdrawal, revise and return those already withdrawn to their duty posts pending the new date of 20th of April, 2018.
“The Task Force Teams set up by the IGP at the Force Headquarters, the Force X – Squad and others set up by the Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioner of Police at the Zonal and State Commands have equally been directed by the Inspector-General of Police to suspend the enforcement of the withdrawal with immediate effect pending the new date.
“For avoidance of doubt, members of the Public, Political and Public Office Holders, VIPs, Public and Private Companies and other categories of enterprises and business outfits and corporate individuals and other entities are to retain the Police Officers currently with them on deployment. They may be provided after the expiration of the period, if found worthy from the Special Protection Unit of the Force but should apply for re-validation through the Commissioner of Police of the State they are domiciled before the expiration of the new date of 20th April, 2018.
“The renewed commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to guarantee protection of Lives and Property across the country remains unequivocal and unwavering.”