Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili has ridiculed the order by the Inspector General of Police, for immediate withdrawals police officers attached to individuals and private companies, saying the directive will not be complied with like in the past.
Citing the security challenges facing the nation, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, had on Monday ordered the withdrawal of all police offices attached to Very Important Persons, including political and public office holders nationwide.
The police boss, who announced this in Abuja during a conference with senior officers, stated that the directive also affected private businessmen, multi-national companies and other corporate organizations who are enjoying special police protection.
But Ezekwesili said Nigerians would not take the order serious as the police have been turned into maids and gatekeepers for the VIPs.
She also lamented that the police offices have been degraded and badly treated by politicians in the country.
Ezekwesili, who is also the convener of the BringBackOurGirls group, however, emphasized that an overhaul of the Nigeria Police Force is imperative in order to raise the standard of professionalism and effective delivery of constitutional duties placed on the law enforcement agency by the constitution.
“Dear .@YomiShogunle please tell the IG @PoliceNG that WE- citizens- for obvious reasons, not take this announcement serious at all. In fact, tell him we all yawned and became angry when we read it on Twitter. Thanks.”
Dear .@YomiShogunle please tell the IG @PoliceNG that WE- citizens- for obvious reasons, not take this announcement serious at all. In fact tell him we all yawned and became angry when we read it on Twitter. Thanks. https://t.co/t8IGqWb7cx
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) March 19, 2018
“My 2-year-old self reacting to TIRING “news” of IGP .@PoliceNG ‘s “withdrawal” of our Police officers that Politicians & their friends in private sector & society have turned to personal bodyguards, Gatemen/women, handbag carriers and houseboys/girls etc.”
My 2 year old self reacting to TIRING “news” of IGP .@PoliceNG ‘s “withdrawal” of our Police officers that Politicans & their friends in private sector & society have turned to personal body guards, Gatemen/women, handbag carriers and houseboys/girls etc.pic.twitter.com/N088S4MvYH
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) March 19, 2018
“How we took one of the MOST IMPORTANT institutions of ANY country – The Police- and DEGRADED it so BADLY is a tragedy that birth our many other calamities in this country. I find myself feeling so sorry for the DECENT officers amongst our .@PoliceNG. They SUFFER FOR NOTHING.”
“When WE – Citizens – Vote In an ETHICAL, COMPETENT and CAPABLE FG in 2019, the OVERHAUL of the .@PoliceNG to ENTRENCH effectiveness, professionalism, and dignity must be one of the Top Priorities. Until then, let me yawn again at an announcement by IGP that WILL NOT BE ACTIONED,” She posted on her social media page through her twitter handle @obyezeks
__________
Follow us on Twitter at @thesignalng
Copyright 2018 SIGNAL. Permission to use portions of this article is granted provided appropriate credits are given to www.signalng.com and other relevant sources.
