Igp’s Order: Insecurity May Intensify – Macaulay

…Says It Will Affect Economy.

By Iteveh Ekpokpobe

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

Macaulay while reacting to orders by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to withdraw security details attached to VIPs and corporate bodies, in a chat with newsmen, said the insecurity may get worse now.

According to him, the IGP should reconsider his stand and ensure due diligence in their security survey 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 their selves and their families things are not easy as people are still living in fear. Imagine a situation where the politicians and society big wigs 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 enough. I don’t think a parliamentarian in the United Kingdom or a legislator in the United State will hire a police to protect his family or self. That we are doing it here is sad enough. 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.

Macaulay said inter alia, “I think the Police should go back and ensure due diligence in this decision. Agreed that there are some people who are abusing this police men, 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 case 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.