KEY POINTS

• IGP Kayode Egbetokun orders withdrawal of PMF officers from VIP guard duties.
• Reforms include ethics training and leadership accountability for PMF commanders.
• Egbetokun emphasizes PMF’s role as a disciplined tactical unit focused on riots and emergencies.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the immediate withdrawal of Police Mobile Force, PMF, officers from providing escort and guard services for private individuals and VIPs across Nigeria.

This move was announced during a conference with PMF squadron commanders at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

Egbetokun, who described the PMF as “the elite tactical arm of the police,” emphasized that the unit must be focused on its primary mandate, which includes rapid response to riots, emergencies, and violent threats.

According to The Cable, he criticized the practice of assigning PMF officers to VIP protection, calling it a “distortion that weakens operational effectiveness.”

As part of the reforms, Egbetokun outlined a series of changes aimed at improving the performance and discipline of the PMF.

These include the introduction of quarterly ethics and professionalism training, mandatory standby for fully equipped and combat-ready units at all PMF squadrons, and a new focus on leadership accountability.

Police commanders to be held accountable for their conduct

He stressed that commanders would now be held accountable for the conduct of their personnel and urged them to engage in proactive leadership, including regular inspections and mentoring of officers.

The IGP also expressed his commitment to restoring the PMF’s role as a “disciplined and dependable tactical arm” of the police, with an emphasis on human rights and global best practices.

Egbetokun acknowledged the continuous support from President Bola Tinubu and international partners, which has contributed to strengthening the technical capacity of the force.

Furthermore, he urged all PMF commanders to see the reform initiative as a “professional and moral responsibility” that aligns with the broader goal of enhancing police operations and discipline across the country.

In a final note, Egbetokun reiterated the importance of restoring the PMF’s focus on its core duties and reaffirmed the force’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of operational excellence.