Why Meranda’s security was pulled: Police cite lack of approval

By Sunday Ani

Following the withdrawal of police escorts from the embattled Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, earlier today, a police source, who preferred anonymity, has revealed that it was due to a lack of valid approval.

Earlier, Meranda’s Special Adviser on Information, Mr Victor Ganzallo, informed us that the police did not just withdraw the Speaker’s details; they also withdrew police officers securing the Assembly complex—a situation that left both the Speaker and the legislative premises exposed to danger.

Ganzallo expressed concern about the actions of the police authorities, saying, “As of now, all the security personnel assigned to the Speaker have been withdrawn, leaving her unprotected.”

He warned about the potential danger to which the Speaker is exposed and called for urgent action to address the security gap.

However, speaking on the reason behind the withdrawal, the police source insisted that the Speaker is not the only one affected, as several VIPs in Lagos who have enjoyed security protection over the years without due approval from the police also had their details withdrawn.

The source equally noted that the withdrawal of Meranda’s security detail has 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), Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, as part of his efforts to instil 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sent a directive that all policemen under the command who are on VIP protection duties without due approval should be withdrawn immediately.

“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 to 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 an individual. But the normal procedure is that the outgoing administration will write to 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, so that is probably why the policemen withdrew because they know there was no letter posting them to that duty,” the source said.

At the time of this report, the Police Command had yet to speak on the issue. Both the Commissioner of Police (CP) and the Public Relations Officer (PPRO) were yet to be reached.

However, emboldened by the latest development, the ousted Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, alongside some armed men, was reported to have broken into the Speaker’s office at about 12 noon today.

According to the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Obasa forcefully broke into the office of the Speaker.

“Obasa, supported by some armed men, broke into the office at about 12 noon on Thursday, following the withdrawal of the security aides of the substantive Speaker, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda,” he said.