Police personnel have been suspended from escorting VIPs in the five South East states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers State.

The directive which was contained in a police wireless message, followed alleged attacks on policemen by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its Eastern Security Network, ESN, paramilitary wing. A copy of the signal was issued by the Delta State Police Command, Asaba, and addressed to personnel with reference number 0900/DTS/DOPS/VOL47/812, dated “101054/05/2021”. It read:  “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 , 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.”

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday approved new security measures for the South East and South-South geo political zones of the country. It was one of the outcomes of the series of security meetings held in the last eleven days and concluded on Tuesday in the Presidential Villa, Abuja. When contacted,  the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba, explained that the directive emanated from the commissioners of police of the states concerned, saying it was meant to protect the Policemen and the VIPs involved from attacks by IPOB/ESN members. Mba added that the CPs had the powers to give such directives as they must have analyzed the security situations in their states, adding that the directive was temporary until the security situation improves in the concerned states.

Source: Drumnewsonline with reports from Vanguard News Nigeria