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Police denies withdrawing Gov Obiano’s security details, even after IGP justified it

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In what appears a contradiction of itself, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has denied ever withdrawing Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano’s security details ahead of the November 18 governorship election in the state.

Police Force Headquarters on Thursday in Abuja argued that contrary to the news in public domain accusing it of withdrawing Obiano’s security, that it never did any such thing.

Denying that the security details attached to Governor Obiano was never withdrawn, NPF claimed that it only invited the ADC and Chief Security Officer to the Governor to a stakeholders’ parley with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on the need for a peaceful election.

The claim by the police is apparently in sharp contrast with the earlier position of IGP, Ibrahim Idris, who had on Tuesday explained why the Anambra State governor’s security were withdrawn.

Idris had at an event in Awka, Election Stakeholders’ Forum, organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday said, “We do not mean anything bad to Anambra governor on this action; his ADC will be returned to him early Sunday morning after the governorship election on Saturday November 18.

“We have equally withdrawn all the policemen attached to political appointees, local government chairmen and others in Anambra till after the election.

However, in a statement clarifying its position and signed by Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Jimoh Moshood, the Nigerian Police on Thursday said, “The Nigeria Police Force has observed the innuendo, distortion of facts and false assertion in the media about the withdrawal of the Aide- De- Camp (ADC) to the governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano.

“It is absolutely imperative to correct the wrong impression created in the media that the governor’s Aide-De-Camp was withdrawn. The true position of the matter is that the Aide-De-Camp or any other Police Officer attached to Chief Willie Obiano, governor of Anambra State was not withdrawn.

“On Tuesday, 14th November, 2017, the ADC and CSO to the governor were called to the Police Command Headquarters in Awka to attend IGP’s lecture with all other Police Personnel deployed for the Election, which was also attended by the heads of other security and safety agencies participating in the security arrangement for the election under the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in the State.

“The ADC and CSO returned few hours later after the lecture, same date, to their duty posts in Government House, Awka, Anambra State.

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“Though, the Anambra State Police Command had issued a press statement to clarify the reasons why the ADC and CSO to the governor were called to the command headquarters in Awka for the lecture and that they were not withdrawn, it is also pertinent to set the record straight and inform the Public and re-emphasise the fact that the ADC and CSO to the governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano were not withdrawn from their duty posts.

“For avoidance of doubt, a total number of two hundred and twenty-one (221) police officers and men including the ADC and CSO are currently attached to the governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano for his personal and office protection.”

He gave the breakdown 221 police officers as One ADC (SPO), One CSO (SPO), One Unit Commander (SPO) from 45 PMF, One Admin Officer (SPO) to administer the Police Personnel, 43 Personnel of Police Mobile Force (PMF) – from 29PMF & 54PMF, 62 Personnel of Police Mobile Force (PMF) – from 45PMF, 46 Personnel of Special Protection Unit (SPU), 66 Personnel of Conventional Police men.

Recall that both the Senate and President Muhammadu Buhari had on Wednesday ordered the IGP to without delay restore Obiano’s security.

 

 

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