The acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the immediate withdrawal of Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel from 37 squadrons across the country.
Reports emerged that the directive was contained in a police signal dated July 26, 2023, and signed by a COMPOL Mobile – a senior officer from the rank of a Commissioner of Police (CP) upwards on behalf of the AIGPOL MOPOL, FHQ Abuja.
The signal said the withdrawal is to enable the mobilisation of personnel for the specialised quick intervention squad proposed by the IGP to tackle growing concerns of insecurity.
The signal read partly: “INGENPOL directs you mobilize 1000 able-bodied personal each within two weeks. Forward names mine (sic) for INGENPOL consideration. Ensure strict compliance please.”
By INGENPOL, the signal means the IGP.
The affected squadrons are:
MOPOL 1 Kaduna
MOPOL 3 Enugu
MOPOL 4 Ibadan
MOPOL 5 Benin
MOPOL 6 Maiduguri
MOPOL 7 Sokoto
MOPOL 8 Jos
MOPOL 9 Kano
MOPOL 10 Bauchi
MOPOL 11 Calabar
MOPOL 12 Minna
MOPOL 13 Makurdi
MOPOL 14 Yola
MOPOL 15 Ilorin
MOPOL 16 Abeokuta
MOPOL 17 Akure
MOPOL 18 Owerri
MOPOL 19 Port-Harcourt
MOPOL 26 Uyo
MOPOL 27 Katsina
MOPOL 28 Umuahia
MOPOL 29 Awka
MOPOL 30 Yenagoa
MOPOL 31 Asaba
MOPOL 32 Abakaliki
MOPOL 33 Ado-Ekiti
MOPOL 34 Gombe
MOPOL 35 Dutse
MOPOL 36 Birnin Kebbi
MOPOL 37 Lokoja
MOPOL 38 Akwanga
MOPOL 39 Osogbo
MOPOL 40 Jalingo
MOPOL 41 Damaturu
MOPOL 42 Gusau
MOPOL 45 FHQ Abuja
MOPOL 49 Epe
The signal directed the commanders of the affected squadrons to execute the task in two weeks.
The police had previously announced plans to withdraw police personnel, specifically PMF from VIPs across the country. The withdrawal is part of the IGP’s efforts to strengthen the security apparatus and create a safer environment for everyone to thrive.
The police have also made relevant provisions for the security of critical infrastructures entitled to such protection.
There is a plan for mobilisation of a 40,000-specialized Quick Intervention Squad. A total of 1000 officers is expected to be sent to each state as a standby force while 4000 would be deployed to volatile areas of the country.
The IGP has urged the public and all stakeholders to support and cooperate with the Nigeria Police Force during this transition period.
