Protest: Police Withdraw Personnel Assigned Private Duties

As days of nationwide hunger protests, slated to take off in August, draw near; Nigeria Police have notified public officers that private security personnel assigned to them would be withdrawn.

Nigeria Police said the withdrawal was necessary due to the urgent nature of the nationwide protest. Police added that the personnel assigned would be needed to augment the capacity and capability of police personnel needed for the nationwide protest.

The memo from the Commanding Officer – No2 Squadron, Police Mobile Force, Nigeria Police, Keffi Street, Lagos – was published by former chairman of Nationa Human Rights Commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu.

Signed by CSP Okon Moses – Second in Command, No2 Squadron, Police Mobile Force, Keffi Street, Lagos; the memo titled “Notification of temporary withdrawal of personnel for national assignment” said sufficient officers are needed to dominate the public space ahead of and during the protest.

It read: “In view of the planned nationwide protest, it becomes imperative to temporarily withdraw some of the personnel attached to you in order to muster sufficient officers to dominate the public space.

“This is part of the proactive necessary measures to enhance the operational capacity and capability of the squadron and your understanding in the above regard is highly solicited.

“Accept as usual the assurances of the esteemed regards of the Commanding Officer, Please.”