The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 5 in Benin, Edo State, Rasheed Akintunde says only 20 percent of the country’s policemen are engaged in the core police duties of protecting lives and maintaining peace in the country.

Akintunde, who stated this on Thursday while addressing officers and men at the police headquarters in Bayelsa during a tour said the remaining 80 percent were just busy providing security to some prominent people on guard duties.

He expressed dismay over the situation where some prominent people in the Nigerian society seek more than 30 policemen to guard them while the bulk of protecting the masses rests on the remaining members of the Force.

His words: “Every big man wants personal security, they want a number of policemen to come and secure them and their family members, instead of supporting the police to work and ensure a safe environment.

“Honourable members want police security, even Reverend Fathers, Bishops now want personal security, so the remaining 20 percent is left to protect the whole country.

“If we can redistribute policemen from some government formations and deploy them to work on their core duty, it will yield a positive result.”

While reminding them of the need to go about their duties with utmost integrity and professionalism, the Police Chief urged all the officers to always be on their toes and stay committed to their duties.