President Bola Tinubu directed the planned withdrawal of Police personnel from Very Important Personalities (VIPs), the Minister of State for Police Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, disclosed on Monday.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the President’s directive will be implemented by the Ministry, adding that the mandate also includes amending the Nigerian Police Act.
The Minister made this disclosure during a 2-Day Retreat for Directorate Cadre with the theme ‘Re: Envisioning the Ministry of Police Affairs for Effective Internal Security: Strengthening Administration and Management Functions for Resilience and Efficiency’ in Abuja.
According to her, the key mandates of the Ministry of Police Affairs are developing and implementing a harmonised police reform report, amending the Police Act, executing Mr President’s directive on the withdrawal of police personnel from VIP security duties, and developing a community policing strategy.
“These mandates are not mere tasks but transformative initiatives that can enhance internal security in Nigeria,” she said.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted that the Nigeria Police Force finds itself at a critical juncture and is currently struggling with the consequences of decades of neglect that have hindered its ability to fulfil its constitutional mandate.
She added that the Ministry of Police Affairs has also not been spared, but given the President’s commitment to reforming the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry is now positioned at the forefront of the Police transformation agenda, and it must rise to the challenge.
“The Ministry must bear this weighty responsibility of ensuring coordination and creating the enabling frameworks to steer the Nigeria Police Force towards improved technical and operational effectiveness,” she said.
