Indications have emerged that the purported memo ordering the withdrawal of personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel from very important personalities (VIPs) was fake.
A section of the media had reported that a police citrep (wireless message) dated July 12, had directed the withdrawal of the personnel from six former governors, immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, six former ministers, two senators, one House of Reps member, Mamman Daura, the infamous and powerful nephew of former President Muhammadu Buhari, APC National Women Leader, Betta Edu and a former Clerk to the National Assembly.
“In the wireless message with reference CB: 4001/DOPS/45MPF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL. 15/353 addressed to 12 senior mobile police officers, they were “directed to withdraw all personnel attached to the under listed politicians.
“Those listed include Ikedi Ohakim and Rochas Okorocha, former governors of Imo state, Adamu Muazu, former governor of Bauchi state, Senator Gbenga Daniel and Bello Matawalle, former governors of Ogun and Zamfara states, respectively.
“Others are: Former Minister of State, Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, former Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, former Minister of State, Power, Jeddy Agba, former Minister of State, Mines and Steel, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki, former Minister of State, Science and Technology, Adeleke Mamora, former Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba, as well as former chairman of Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Haliru Dauda and his counterpart in the House of Reps, Rabiu Lawan.
“The police directive also stripped former National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, Senator Stephen Odey, and an unnamed brother of Aisha Buhari of their police escorts,” one of the reports stated.
However, Blueprint checks have shown that no mobile squadron commander has withdrawn their personnel from the VIPs mentioned in the memo.
Further checks indicated that the wording of the memo shows that it is fake as police signals do not go out without proper identification and directions.
Commenting on the development, a Mobile Squadron Commander, CP Mike Ademola (retd), confirmed that the memo was fake.
Ademola, who is conversant with signals and memos having led the PMF before retirement, maintained that it didn’t come from the police authority as and therefore, it is fake.
He explained that the wordings of the memo shows that it is fake as police signal does not appear without proper identification and directions but from the memo, you would notice that some persons were not properly identified and this is a sign of fake news.
He also commended the acting IGP, Olukayode Egbetokun for having the courage to initiate policies that would reform the Nigeria Mobile Police and being back the lost glory.
He said, with the initiative like this, the IGP has set the police ready for a better future.
Also, the Force PRO, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi when contacted to react to the memo, said the Force management team is currently having their meetings now where critical decisions will be taken.
