The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has commended the Inspector-General of Police, Ag Usman Akali Baba, for withdrawing police escorts from notable personalities in some South-East, and South-South states.
Naija News reports that the order was sequel to the unceasing attacks on security operatives and formations in the South-East and part of South-South zones by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The suspension of special protection was contained in a wireless message issued by the Commissioner of Police, Asaba, Delta State, and copied to the Chief Security Officer, Government House, Chief Superintendent of Police, Department of Operations, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, Delta State House of Assembly, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation annex, among others.
According to the message, the police ordered its operatives not to accompany their principals to Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers States until the security situation improved in the areas.
Reacting to the directive, National Chairman of PANDEF, Senator Emmanuel Ebok-Essien, hailed the suspension of special protection for political office holders and very important persons in the two regions.
He noted that it was wrong in the first place for representatives of the people to be going with police escorts.
He said, “In the first place I never subscribe for the police escorting VIPs or anybody. I never supported the idea. And it is not right. If you are representing the people, and you are acceptable by the people, you should be free with the people.
“You don’t need to carry people with arms to protect you. Sometimes, you observe that somebody doesn’t move with an escort before, but once you are elected or appointed, suddenly you start going with the Police. Why must we go with the police?
“For me, a representative of the people should not be scared of the people he or she is representing. Representatives of the people should be free with the people that they are representing”