PSC bars policemen from carrying VIPs’ handbags, umbrellas

Chairman, Police Service Commission and Former Inspector- General of Police, Chief Mike Okiro

The Police Service Commission has warned police officers on escort duty with Very Important Persons to desist from carrying their handbags and umbrellas, describing it as an insult to the Nigeria Police Force.

The commission also said it would henceforth arrest police operatives on illegal escort duty, adding that its workers would soon be deployed in airports and on the highways to apprehend errant policemen.

The Chairman of the commission, Chief Mike Okiro, who said this at a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, said it was an insult to the police uniform for cops to engage in “domestic duty” or carry handbags for VIPs.

He stated that any policeman caught doing domestic chores would be sanctioned.

According to him, the PSC has worked out a blueprint of the class of dignitaries that should enjoy special police protection with specific duties of the policemen spelt out.

He said, “You will all agree with me that this issue of policemen carrying handbags and umbrellas for VIPs has generated much uproar and even condemnation as it is capable of eroding the esteem of members of the NPF.

“To stem the tide, we have worked out a blueprint of the class of VIPs that should enjoy the privilege of attaching police officers to provide VIP protection with their specific duties clearly spelt out. The matter is awaiting the consent of the relevant authorities before we can start its implementation.

“Once the operation is fully planned, the Provost-Marshal of the Police and the staff of the PSC will operate jointly and will be stationed at domestic airports and some highways to arrest and discipline officers who embark on illegal escort or guard duty.”

Okiro explained that the PSC had established offices in some geopolitical zones to handle various issues and to enable the members of the public to file their complaints against policemen easily.

The PSC chairman refuted allegations of lopsidedness in the recent police promotions, saying “the Police Service Commission under my watch is meticulous in dealing with such matters and will not be party to anything that would undermine the great efforts put in place to enthrone discipline and efficiency in the police.”