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IGP orders withdrawal of mobile police officers from VIPs

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IGP orders withdrawal of mobile police officers from VIPs

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the withdrawal of mobile police officers from VIPs across the country.

The directive is contained in a statement on Tuesday, issued by the spokesman for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Muyiwa Adejobi.

He said the move was part of the reorganisation of the Police Mobile Force (PMF).

“He expressed concern over the diversion of PMF personnel to non-core roles, including escort and guard duties for private individuals and VIPs, a trend which has undermined the unit’s effectiveness,” the statement read.

“To address this, the IGP has announced a series of measures including the immediate withdrawal of PMF personnel from unauthorized deployments, regular quarterly training focused on ethics and professionalism, and mandatory standby of fully equipped, combat-ready units across all Squadrons for rapid tactical support.”

According to the IGP, all PMF Commanders will be held accountable for the conduct of their personnel.

The IGP however urged them to lead proactively through regular training, inspections, and mentorship aimed at upholding discipline, respect for human rights, and operational excellence.

 

THE IGP’S FULL STATEMENT BELOW:

PRESS RELEASE

INTERNAL SECURITY: IGP REORGANIZES POLICE MOBILE FORCE FOR EFFECTIVENESS

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has announced the immediate reorganization of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) as part of efforts to strengthen internal security and enhance operational readiness. The directive was unveiled during a conference with PMF Squadron Commanders at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday, 22nd April, 2025.

The IGP emphasized the need to reposition the PMF in line with its original mandate as the Nigeria Police Force’s elite strike unit, designed to respond swiftly to riots, emergencies, and violent threats.

He expressed concern over the diversion of PMF personnel to non-core roles, including escort and guard duties for private individuals and VIPs, a trend which has undermined the unit’s effectiveness.

To address this, the IGP has announced a series of measures including the immediate withdrawal of PMF personnel from unauthorized deployments, regular quarterly training focused on ethics and professionalism, and mandatory standby of fully equipped, combat-ready units across all Squadrons for rapid tactical support.

The IGP also declared that PMF Commanders will be held accountable for the conduct of their personnel and urged them to lead proactively through regular training, inspections, and mentorship aimed at upholding discipline, respect for human rights, and operational excellence.

Reaffirming the Force’s commitment to restoring the PMF to its rightful role as a disciplined and dependable tactical arm, the IGP highlighted plans to introduce new leadership strategies and capacity-building initiatives designed to meet modern security challenges and align with global best practices.

The Inspector-General of Police while extending appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his support, acknowledged the critical contributions of the Force’s international partners in enhancing training and technical capacity.

The IGP charged all PMF Squadron Commanders to embrace the reform as a professional and moral responsibility, reiterating that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to its mandate of safeguarding lives, property, and national security.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,

FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

FORCE HEADQUARTERS

ABUJA.

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‎Photo News: Kwara Security Strategy Committee Submits Report to Gov AbdulRazaq

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‎Photo News: Kwara Security Strategy Committee Submits Report to Gov AbdulRazaq

 

L-R: AIG Aderemi Opadokun (Rtd); Air Commodore Asa Buhari (Rtd); Major General Abidoye Olayemi (rtd); Team Lead Kwara State Security Strategy Committee, Major General Garba Abdulwahab (rtd); Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON); Rear Admiral A.B Lawal (rtd); Col. A.A Lawal (rtd); Alhaji M.A Jimba; Director of Special Services Governor’s Office, Mrs. Folorunsho Idayat Adeola; and Permanent Secretary General Service, Alhaji Shuaib Yitta, during a visit by members of the committee to the state governor (to submit their report)  at the Ahmadu Bello House, Ilorin, on Wednesday.

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Rivers Police Parade Two Suspects Over Murder of Okada Rider, Theft of Motorcycle

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Rivers Police Parade Two Suspects Over Murder of Okada Rider, Theft of Motorcycle
Rivers Police Parade Two Suspects Over Murder of Okada Rider, Theft of Motorcycle

PORT HARCOURT – The Rivers State Police Command has paraded two young men arrested over the alleged murder of a commercial motorcycle operator, whose motorcycle they reportedly stole after luring him into a remote forest in the state.

The suspects, identified as 24-year-old Abubakar Sani and 20-year-old Yusuf Magaji, were arrested following an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Emohua.

The police said Sani allegedly confessed to participating in the killing of the victim, identified as Sani Musa, before the suspects escaped with his motorcycle.

Musa, a native of Zago Town in Kafin Hausa Local Government Area of Jigawa State, was reportedly operating as a commercial motorcycle rider in Rivers State before his death.

According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly lured the rider to a remote forest in Mbiama, Ahoada West Local Government Area, where they attacked and stabbed him to death.

His body was subsequently dumped in thick bushes, while the suspects allegedly fled with his motorcycle.

The police further disclosed that the suspects planned to transport the stolen motorcycle to Kano State through a waybill arrangement, allegedly hoping to evade security checks and conceal the motorcycle’s origin.

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The alleged criminal operation was uncovered at about 1pm on October 22, when police operatives received intelligence that some individuals were dismantling a suspected stolen motorcycle at Choba Motor Park.

Acting on the information, operatives of the VCRU moved to the location and arrested Sani and Magaji, who were both said to be from Kano State.

During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement in the murder and subsequently led investigators to the Mbiama forest, where the decomposing remains of the deceased were recovered.

The recovery of the body provided investigators with further evidence in the ongoing investigation into the killing.

The command said arrangements were being made to release the deceased’s remains to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites, following a request by his relatives.

The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the murder, identify possible accomplices and ensure that everyone connected to the crime is brought to justice.

The police command reiterated its commitment to combating murder, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes across Rivers State.

It also urged residents to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to help prevent criminal activities and improve public safety.

The two suspects are expected to face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.

 

Rivers Police Parade Two Suspects Over Murder of Okada Rider, Theft of Motorcycle

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Tinubu’s Aide Challenges Reports of Presidential Convoy Stoning at Abuja Mosque

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‘Tinubu Must Stay’ Movement Launches Ahead of 2027 Election

Tinubu’s Aide Challenges Reports of Presidential Convoy Stoning at Abuja Mosque

 

ABUJA, NIGERIA — Presidential aide O’tega Ogra has dismissed reports that President Bola Tinubu’s convoy was attacked with stones by angry youths following his attendance at Friday prayers at a mosque in Abuja.

Ogra, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Engagement, Strategy and New Media, described the reports as an opposition-driven narrative, insisting that footage of Tinubu leaving the mosque presented a different picture of what transpired.

The controversy followed the President’s visit to the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1, Garki, Abuja, on Friday, November 13, 2026, where he observed the Juma’at prayer.

Shortly after the visit, a video shared by former Kogi West senator and African Democratic Congress chieftain, Dino Melaye, circulated widely on social media, purportedly showing youths throwing stones at a convoy believed to be carrying the President.

Some individuals in the footage were also heard chanting slogans, including “Ba ma yi, ba ma so”, an expression of rejection.

However, Ogra challenged the account, releasing another video showing Tinubu waving to a crowd of youths as he departed the mosque in his official vehicle.

In a post accompanying the footage, the presidential aide accused opposition elements of promoting a misleading account of the incident.

“Contrary to the narrative being pushed by the opposition, with videos of their alleged paid thugs at the National Mosque today, here is footage of Mr President leaving the mosque after Friday prayers this afternoon,” Ogra wrote.

The footage showed the President, dressed in a white outfit and black cap, acknowledging people gathered around his vehicle, with some cheering and taking photographs with their mobile phones.

The conflicting accounts have generated debate over what actually happened during the presidential visit, particularly whether stones were thrown at the convoy.

While reports of hostile chanting have emerged from the scene, the allegation of stone-throwing remains disputed, with no independently verified evidence conclusively establishing that the President or his convoy was struck by stones.

The development comes amid heightened political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Earlier on Friday, Tinubu warned politicians and their supporters against political violence, thuggery and other activities capable of undermining the country’s democratic process.

In a statement personally signed by him, the President said security agencies had been authorised to confront acts of political violence and other anti-democratic activities with full force.

He condemned reported violence at political gatherings across the country, stressing that political campaigns should focus on issues that promote citizens’ welfare and national development.

Tinubu maintained that violence should have no place in Nigeria’s democratic process.

 

Tinubu’s Aide Challenges Reports of Presidential Convoy Stoning at Abuja Mosque

 

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