Information obtained by 9News Nigeria revealed that Police authorities in Lagos have restored the security details attached to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Mojisola Meranda.
During a briefing hours after the move, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State Moshood Jimoh cited personnel audit as the reason for the withdrawal, stressing that the ongoing audit of police personnel in Lagos aims to enhance public safety, stating that it was not influenced by any other considerations.
He explained that the exercise ensures accountability for police officers, their firearms, and other crime-fighting equipment under their possession, expressing that it guarantees that officers remain at their designated duty posts and to make sure that their firearms and equipment are not misused.
Jimoh also disclosed that the exercise also helps the command identify officers posted without approval or engaged in unauthorised duties, in order to withdraw them.
He therefore confirmed that the audit of officers attached to Speaker Meranda, had been completed, and her four armed personnel had been reinstated, as he urged those with no valid approval or unauthorised police attachments to revalidate their status or apply afresh to the Inspector-General of Police.
The Commissioner therefore emphasised that Lagos, with over 20 million residents, has fewer than 18,000 police officers, as he used the opportunity to call for more personnel at strategic locations.
Meranda’s security details were withdrawn on Thursday morning, leading to heightened tension in the Lagos Assembly speakership tussle.
9News Nigeria reports that part of his words were; “As I speak with you, the audit of the police personnel attached to Hon. Mojisola Meranda has been completed, and the police personnel attached to her from the Lagos State Police Command have been returned to her for her protection,” the commissioner said on Thursday evening.
“It is pertinent to state that the ongoing police personnel audit has been on for several days now, and prominent personalities and individuals have been complying with the process. The exercise, once again, is not aimed or targeted at any individuals,” the commissioner told the gathering.
“Periodic audits of police personnel attached to VIPs and groups are a statutory police procedure, not limited to the Lagos State Police Command alone,” he said.
“As we speak, other police commands across the country are conducting similar audits without any issues,” he added.
“Those with invalid approvals or on illegal duties will be redeployed to police posts, stations, divisions, and area commands to strengthen security across Lagos,” he said.
“The command requires more officers at police stations and divisions to ensure the safety and protection of lives and property in the state,” he noted.
“The ongoing audit has been in progress for several days, with prominent individuals complying. It is not targeted at any specific person or group,” he clarified.
“For those still undergoing the audit, the outcome will determine the next steps regarding their police protection,” Jimoh stated.
He further warned that police officers attached to individuals without valid approval would be withdrawn across the state.
The Special Protection Units (SPU) at Force Headquarters, he added, have been mandated to provide security coverage for Nigerians requiring police protection.
