Osun State Police Command has again reiterated that police personnel assigned to government officials are primarily responsible for safeguarding lives and properties, rather than acting as domestic servants.
The Commissioner of Police, Patrick Kehinde Longe, made this declaration in a statement released on Monday, which was signed by the Command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola.
Opalola expressed deep concern over the alarming trend of government officials utilizing police orderlies for menial tasks that are unrelated to their primary duty of providing security.
She described such behavior as “highly unethical and unprofessional” and stressed that the officers’ role is solely to shield their principals from potential threats.
The statement further emphasized that government officials should hire domestic staff to carry out errands and other household chores, rather than disrespecting police officers by subjecting them to such tasks.
“The Osun state police command is miffed with consternation about the way and manner these personalities use police orderlies attached to them for domestic duties such as carrying handbags, umbrellas, the opening of gates, etc, and wishes to state emphatically that the policemen attached to them are meant to protect their lives and property and not serve as domestic servants,” the statement reads.
“The command, therefore, warns police officers attached to these officials to stop carrying out or serving purposes other than protecting their principals from security threats, as such behavior is highly unethical, and unprofessional and would attract appropriate sanctions against erring such police personnel.”
This development comes in the wake of a similar incident last year when the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) threatened to take action against the police orderly of Titi Abubakar, wife of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The officer was photographed carrying a handbag while Mrs. Abubakar addressed an audience, raising questions about the actual responsibilities of police officers assigned to VIPs.
Meanwhile, shortly after assuming office, Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, declared that personnel from the Police Mobile Force (PMF) would no longer be tasked with VIP escort and guard duties.
The IGP also announced that a comprehensive assessment of the mobile police’s duties would be conducted to ensure their effective utilization.
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