Police orders withdrawal of govs, VIPs’ escorts in South-East, Rivers

• Bandits kill one cop in Sokoto
The Nigeria Police Force has ordered immediate withdrawal of its personnel attached to governors, senators and other public office holders in the South-East and Rivers State due to continued attacks on police officers and formations in the affected states.
This is contained in a police signal, a wireless message, released on Tuesday.
The signal dated “101054/05/2021” and with reference number 0900/DTS/DOPS/VOL47/812 was issued by the Commissioner of Police (DOPS), Asaba, Delta State.
It said, “Sequel to the incessant attacks on policemen/ snatching of arms and ammunition by the proscribed IPOB/ESN elements in the eastern states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States and Rivers State, COMPOL DOPS directs you warn personnel that escorts of their principals to the six (6) eastern states is suspended forthwith until security situation improves. Ensure strict compliance please.”
The acting spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, DSP Edafe Bright, confirmed the message, but added that it was not meant for publication.
Meanwhile, one police officer has been reportedly killed by suspected bandits in the Rumjin Sambo area of Sokoto South Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The suspected bandits, who were sighted on motorbikes numbering about 20, came at 1:45am on Tuesday.
The gunmen were said to have later abandoned their motorbikes and moved on foot close to a mosque around Noma Hospital in the area where a sizable number of Muslim faithful gathered for Tahajjud prayer.
According to sources in the area, the bandits opened fired on a police van that was on a routine patrol of the area leading to the death of a policeman.