The Lagos State Police Command has clarified that the recent withdrawal of security personnel assigned to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, was an administrative decision rather than a politically motivated action.
According to the command, the withdrawal was part of a broader effort to ensure due process in assigning police officers to VIPs across the state. Police sources revealed that multiple individuals, including some traditional rulers who had retained police protection for nearly two decades without official approval, were also affected by the directive.
A senior police official explained that the new Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Moshood, had instructed the immediate withdrawal of all police officers deployed for VIP protection without valid authorization.
“The police have maintained absolute neutrality in this process. This directive was not targeted at the Speaker specifically,” the source stated.
The normal procedure, according to the police, requires VIPs to formally request security details. While the Speaker of the House of Assembly is legally entitled to police protection, an official communication from the outgoing administration is typically required to notify the police of a leadership transition and provide the names of officeholders requiring security.
“In this case, no such communication was received, which likely led to the withdrawal of security personnel,” the source added.
The police assured that once the proper documentation is completed, security details would be reinstated where necessary.
Comments