Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has ordered the immediate withdrawal of all police orderlies attached to people generally referred to as Very Important Persons (VIPs) as well as political and public office holders in the country.

Idris, who gave the directive at the monthly meeting with Commissioners of Police in Abuja on Monday also deployed no fewer than 2,000 armed policemen to schools in North-Eastern Nigeria as part of the measures aimed at improving protection and safety in schools in the region ravaged by the Boko Haram attacks.

“A directive for the withdrawal of all police officers deployed to VIPs, political and public office holders, with immediate effect, is hereby given,” the IGP said.

He said the order became expedient in view of the current security challenges in the country, adding that it was aimed at releasing more personnel for a more effective and efficient policing in the country.

Among those affected by the directive are businessmen and other entrepreneurs, multinational companies as well as corporate individuals.

In this regard, the Police boss said a memo would be forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari for approval. The approval, he said ,would serve as a guideline for the deployment of officers to VIPs and political and public office holders.

He revealed that a task force had been constituted at the Force Headquarters to ensure strict compliance with the directive while command commissioners were to replicate same at their various commands.

He further stated that based on application for re-validation through the state commissioners  of police where they are resident, organizations and individuals that require the services of the Police and are found worthy will be considered by the Special Protection Unit (SPU) of the Police Force.