A viral memo on the social media purportedly authored by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) ordering the withdrawal of Mobile Police personnel from some politicians is fake, LEADERSHIP gathered.
Also, a former Mobile Squadron Commander, CP Mike Ademola (rtd), told our Correspondent that the viral memo was fake.
CP Ademola, who is conversant with Police signals and memos, having led the Mobile Police before his retirement, said the document didn’t emanate from the Police authorities, hence it’s fake.
He explained that the wordings of the memo showed that it’s not genuine as police signal does not appear without proper identification and directions but from the viral memo, some persons were not properly identified, it’s a sign of a fake news.
He also commended the acting IGP, Olukayode Egbetokun, for having the courage to initiate policies that would reform the Nigeria Mobile Police and bring back its lost glory.
He said with the initiatives, the IGP has set the Police ready for a better future.
Also, the Force PRO, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, when contacted to react to the viral memo, said the Force management team was having its meeting on Monday morning where critical decisions will be taken.
Meanwhile, our checks further showed that no mobile squadron commander has withdrawn personnel from the people mentioned in the viral memo as at Monday.
Part of the memo had named important personalities like former secretary to the government of the federation, Boss Mustapha, former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, former Zamfara State governor, Muhammad Bello Matawalle, among others, as politicians whose Police escorts should be withdrawn.
Recall that when the acting inspector-general of police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, assumed office as the Police boss, he had stated that he would effect the withdrawal of Police Mobile Force personnel on eescort/guard duties from VIPs.
This was even as he established the Special Intervention Squad, which according to him, would have 40,000 highly trained police officers including selected officers from the Police Mobile Force.
He had explained that the action was to allow the mobile police take back its place in the internal security architecture of the country and reclaim its lost glory.
According to him, “In a bid to kick-start the process of regaining our pride of place in the internal security architecture of our dear country first and foremost, modalities for the creation of a new special squad – the Special Intervention Squad have been initiated.
“This special squad shall consist of 40,000 specially trained elite officers. The Squad will be formed by selecting officers from the pool of existing Police Mobile Force personnel and all tactical units in the country.
“These officers will undergo an intensive pre-deployment training to make them combat-ready for frontline operational duties in all the states of the Federation, with a particular focus on areas plagued with unrest and turmoil.
“By pooling together the expertise and experience of our PMF personnel and other tactical units, we can establish a formidable force that is well-equipped to handle the evolving challenges we face.”
The IGP also said the establishment of the squad would help the police to promptly respond to security threats, noting that 1,000 personnel would be deployed to every state of the Federation.
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