Ibrahim Idris

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has temporarily suspended the announced withdrawal of policemen attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) in the country.

According to the IGP, the measure is to enable the Nigeria Police carry out a comprehensive assessment of the current deployment status of its personnel to individuals and organizations.

In a statement released in Abuja on Thursday by the Police spokesman, Jimoh Ibrahim, the IG said the decision to suspend the withdrawal by a month was taken after a meeting with the commanders of Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism and Special  Protection units of the Force on Tuesday.

“The withdrawal will now take effect from April 20. This will enable the Force to carry out a thorough assessment of the current deployment and carry out appropriate withdrawal.

“Meanwhile, the IG has directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Operations, to direct all the Commissioners of Police and their Supervising Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in the states and zonal commands to halt the withdrawal, revise and return those already withdrawn to their duty posts pending the new date of April 20, 2018,” the statement read.

While calling on members of the public, political office holders, organizations and private individuals to retain the police officers currently assigned to them, the statement added that the Task Force Team set up by the IG at the Force Headquarters, the Force X-Squad and others set up by the AIGs and CPs had equally been directed by the IG to suspend the enforcement of the withdrawal with immediate effect pending the new date.