Withdrawing VIP Security Details will Escalate Insecurity, Warns Former Delta SSG

Immediate past Secretary to Delta State Government, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay, has said that the withdrawal of security personnel attached to private companies and individuals may trigger worse security situation and challenges for Nigeria.

Macaulay while reacting to orders by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris, to withdraw security details attached to VIPs and corporate bodies, said the insecurity in Nigeria may get worse if the order is carried out as directed.

According to him, the IGP should reconsider his stand and ensure due diligence in their security surveillance before placing such orders as the fall out of the order may be worse than the problem they intend to solve.

He said: “You can imagine even now that people have security details to protect themselves and their families, things are not easy as people are still living in fear.

“Imagine a situation where the politicians and society bigwigs who are hated by society naturally for one reason or the other – as no politician can say that he is a friend to everybody – are left without security.

“The lives and property of Nigerians should be protected by the government.

“It is sad enough that individuals are being made to provide their own security because these details are not for free. You pay to have them and pay to keep them.

 “They are not free. It is sad. I don’t think a parliamentarian in the United Kingdom or a legislator in the United States will hire a police to protect his family or self.

“That we are doing it here is sad. I must ask the police to review that decision. It is not going to be a popular decision and the fall out of that decision will be worse than the problem they intend to solve.” Macaulay stressed.

The veteran labour leader also stated that the order will invariably affect the country’s economy as insecurity will discourage a lot of multi-nationals and corporate bodies from investing.

“I think the police should go back and ensure due diligence in this decision. Agreed that there are some people who are abusing these policemen, it’s also possible that there are some people who are using the police illegally. However, for those who have the official approval, of the Inspector General of Police should be left to continue.

“If their validation expires and they fail to go back for revalidation then it’s a different scenario.  It should not be a blanket sweeping.

“Of course, I can imagine what it will be like if for three days there are no security details attached to these set of individuals and corporation, what this country will look like. It will worsen the situation. This type of thing should not be done; not especially when we are approaching an election.” he added.