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| Chief Mike Okiro |
The Police Service Commission has warned
police officers on escort duty with Very Important Persons to desist
from carrying their handbags and umbrellas, describing it as an insult
to the Nigeria Police Force.
The commission also said it would
henceforth arrest police operatives on illegal escort duty, adding that
its workers would soon be deployed in airports and on the highways to
apprehend errant policemen.
The Chairman of the commission, Chief
Mike Okiro, who said this at a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja,
said it was an insult to the police uniform for cops to engage in
“domestic duty” or carry handbags for VIPs.
He stated that any policeman caught doing domestic chores would be sanctioned.
According to him, the PSC has worked out
a blueprint of the class of dignitaries that should enjoy special
police protection with specific duties of the policemen spelt out.
He said, “You will all agree with me
that this issue of policemen carrying handbags and umbrellas for VIPs
has generated much uproar and even condemnation as it is capable of
eroding the esteem of members of the NPF.
“To stem the tide, we have worked out a
blueprint of the class of VIPs that should enjoy the privilege of
attaching police officers to provide VIP protection with their specific
duties clearly spelt out. The matter is awaiting the consent of the
relevant authorities before we can start its implementation.
“Once the operation is fully planned,
the Provost-Marshal of the Police and the staff of the PSC will operate
jointly and will be stationed at domestic airports and some highways to
arrest and discipline officers who embark on illegal escort or guard
duty.”
Okiro explained that the PSC had
established offices in some geopolitical zones to handle various issues
and to enable the members of the public to file their complaints against
policemen easily.
The PSC chairman refuted allegations of
lopsidedness in the recent police promotions, saying “the Police Service
Commission under my watch is meticulous in dealing with such matters
and will not be party to anything that would undermine the great efforts
put in place to enthrone discipline and efficiency in the police.”
-Punch