The security details of the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Oniru of Iru land and other very important personalities, VIPs have been withdrawn National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP has reliably gathered.
Sources said that the security details of the Speaker and other VIPs were withdrawn due to lack of valid approval.
A source within the Palace of Oba Oniru of Iru confirmed the withdrawal to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), stating that all police officers previously stationed at the palace had been withdrawn.
“That was the directive we got this morning,” the source revealed, confirming that the traditional ruler is now without police protection.
Similarly, reports indicate that security aides attached to Oba Alayeluwa Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Kusenla III, Elegushi of Ikate Land have also been withdrawn, though details on the specific reasoning behind this move remain unclear. This comes amid broader security reshuffling in Lagos State.
The development coincides with the ongoing political maneuvering within the Lagos State House of Assembly, where the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, has also had her security details withdrawn. This move is believed to be part of the intense political negotiations involving top stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the leadership of the legislative body.
While the rationale behind the sudden withdrawal of these security aides has not been officially communicated by the police authorities, concerns have been raised over the vulnerability of the affected figures. Given the prominence of the traditional rulers and their influence within Lagos, this action has sparked discussions on the implications for security and governance in the state.
Sources said that the withdrawal of Meranda’s security detail had nothing to do with the political tussles in the State House of Assembly, as the police have maintained neutrality throughout.
“What happened is that the new Commissioner of Police (CP) Moshood Jimoh as part of his efforts to instill professionalism and due process, sent a directive that all policemen operatives of the command on VIP protection duties without due approval should be withdrawn immediately.
“There are some traditional rulers in the state who have had police personnel guarding them for almost 20 years without approval. It was not just about the Speaker.
“The normal procedure is that when police protection is needed by VIPs, they are to write the police officially and upon approval, personnel will be assigned to them.
“The Speaker of the House of Assembly is entitled to police protection under the law and she doesn’t need to write as a person.
“The normal procedure is that the outgoing administration will write the police formally to notify the force about a change in leadership stating the names of the new office holders deserving of Police protection.
“In this instance, no such communication has been sent to the police and so, that is probably why the policemen withdrew because they know there was no letter posting them to that duty,” a source said
As of the time of reporting, no official statement has been released by the Lagos State Police Command or the affected royal houses regarding the next steps following the withdrawal of security personnel. However, observers are closely monitoring the situation as more details emerge.
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