A former Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has said that previous attempts to withdraw police officers from Very Important Persons failed because such directives were issued by police chiefs rather than by the President.

Speaking on Saturday in Abuja at the launch of his biographies, “Giant Footprints and A Policeman Personified”, the former police chief expressed strong optimism that President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive would succeed.

He hailed the President for having the “political will” to order the withdrawal of policemen from private individuals and undeserving VIPs.

He said, “I am profoundly grateful to the President of the Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his consistent action directed at restoring the dwindling police primacy in the internal security architecture.

“This was again made manifest by the recent presidential order on the withdrawal of police personnel attached to undeserving personalities.

“As far as my memory can lead me, this is the first time that such an order will emanate directly from a sitting President.

“We have tried to do it as IGPs, but we couldn’t make it. Let’s see how this one will work.”

Baba explained that documenting his policing journey through his biographies would enrich national discourse on security, inspire others, and provide useful insights for policy makers and law enforcement professionals.

PUNCH Online earlier reported that President Tinubu ordered the withdrawal of all police personnel attached to VIPs and their redeployment to core policing duties.

According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, VIPs requiring protection will now be assigned armed operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The aim, he added, Is to free up police manpower for frontline duties, especially in underserved communities, and strengthen Nigeria’s overall security response. (Sunday PUNCH)

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