Nigerians
have reacted to the decision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP,
Idris Mohammed, to withdraw 6 policemen attached to the Chairman, Five
Star Group, Emeka Okonkwo aka E-Money.
E-Money is the brother of Nigerian musician, Kelechi Okonkwo popularly known as K-Cee.
The
report emerged on different news platforms on Tuesday and trended on
social media that the IG ordered the Lagos State Police Command to
withdraw the security personnel attached to E-money and also probe his
source(s) of wealth.
Confirming the report to newsmen, the
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, said the
command only obeyed the orders from the IGP.
According to him,
“Well we got the directive from the Inspector General to withdraw police
guards from E-Money and we did exactly so.”
On the claim making
the rounds that E-Money was using his Mobile Police guards as domestic
servants, Elkana said, “The reason for the withdrawal I don’t know.
Whether he was using them as domestic servants I don’t know where that
is coming from.”
However, some Nigerians who shared their opinion
on Twitter blamed the government for not providing an enabling
environment for police officers to do their jobs.
Some also asked
the IGP to withdraw police officers attached to politicians and other
big shots in the country, not just E-Money.
Read some thoughts and opinions from twitter.
@i_amemeks,
“E-money pays them higher than your govt is paying. So let them enjoy
service. Besides, none of the policemen complained.
@Firstladyship,
“IG withdraws E-Money’s 6 policemen. He was surprised police were
attached to him and were being used as domestic servants, carrying
umbrellas, opening doors and doing menial jobs for him. Do not single
out E-Money. Goose and Gander must be equal. Politicians are guilty of
the same crime!”
@Osusha_27, “The IG of police has ordered the
probe of E-Money and withdrawal of his police escorts. I am sure it has
to do with his enormous wealth. My question: When will the government
probe the cause of enormous poverty and withdraw insecurity around the
common man in Nigeria?”
@The useless IG of police wants to probe
E-money. For what exactly? Come and probe me too for eating ritual meats
and guldermasin syrup.”
@Sojarextmt, “Reading so many hate
comments on him and it’s young people. If he is hated like this upon all
the joy he has given us, I don’t who again can do better. Hating the
rich will not make us richer. E-money is a good man and no weapon formed
against u shall prosper.”
@KachiZone, “I am not in support of
E-Money using 6 mobile escorts; is he a bullion van? However, let’s be
honest; @PoliceNG high hierarchy should be blamed — they wine, dine and
collect huge amounts from these socialites in favour of dozens of Mopols
as their escorts.”
@Chimezieatasie, “In this country as long as
you have the money you can have as many police escorts as you like. Even
big-armed robbers and kidnappers have police escorts not to talk of an
innocent business tycoon like E-money.”
@Samjnr6468100, “Can we
also revisit police and general civil servants remunerations? Because
trust me many of these police officers would prefer to be opening doors
and holding umbrellas compared to being sent down to Potiskum because of
the money involved. In fact they can bribe to be sent to big men.”
@Shy_shye,
“If the @PoliceNG is serious with the political will, all police
attached to civilians should be withdrawn. Anybody that needs extra
security protection should patronize the private security outfit. But
guess what? I don’t see that happening because of politicians.”
@rukeeo1,
“I am sure this was triggered by a post they saw online. I saw pictures
of mobile policemen opening his car door for him and while I didn’t
have a problem with it. It seemed somehow off. We must remember that the
uniform these guys wear represents the entire country and respect
that.”