National
Police Explain Withdrawal Of Security From Lagos Speaker
By Benjamin Abioye
A police source has revealed why security escorts were withdrawn from the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda.
Speaking on the matter, the source, who wished to remain anonymous, explained that Meranda was not the only person affected. Several VIPs in Lagos who had been enjoying police protection for years without proper approval also had their security details withdrawn.
The source clarified that the withdrawal had nothing to do with political issues within the State House of Assembly. According to him, the police have remained neutral in the matter.
He said, “What happened is that the new Commissioner of Police (CP), Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, as part of his efforts to instill professionalism and due process, sent a directive that all policemen under the command who are on VIP protection duties without due approval should be withdrawn immediately.”
He further explained that some traditional rulers in Lagos had been receiving police protection for nearly 20 years without proper authorization. “It was not just about the Speaker,” he added.
According to him, the correct procedure requires VIPs to officially request police protection, and once approved, officers are assigned to them. However, for the Speaker of the House of Assembly, police protection is automatic under the law.
“The Speaker does not need to write a request as an individual,” the source continued. “But the normal process is that the outgoing administration should notify the police about any leadership changes and provide the names of new officials who require police protection.”
He pointed out that in this case, no such formal communication was sent to the police. “That is probably why the policemen withdrew—because they know there was no letter officially assigning them to that duty,” he concluded.
The source, however, failed to explain how the same security removed from Speaker Marenda was invested on the former speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.
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