Extortion: Presidency keeps Villa security operatives under watch

[amanimaendeleo]

The Presidency has read the Riot Act to some security agents attached to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, who have been accused of harassing prominent visitors for financial favours.

A committee, whose membership is not made public, has been set up to identify the culprits and recommend them for appropriate sanctions.

A circular has since been circulated among the members of staff, warning them of the dire consequences awaiting those who continue with what the authorities described as “unprofessional conduct.”

The circular, dated February 15, 2016, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent on Thursday, was signed by Auwal Maikano on behalf of the Chief Security Officer to the President.
he circular reads, “The CSO to the President/C-in-C has observed with dismay the unprofessional conduct of some officers and men of the security department working in the Presidential Villa.

“These disturbing acts, such as pestering, escorting and hanging around important dignitaries such as governors and ministers coming to the Villa, must stop forthwith.

“Any security personnel or State House Staff caught indulging in such acts will henceforth be summarily sanctioned.

“For the avoidance of doubt, all security personnel must remain at their various beats at all times.

“All are also warned and reminded that: (i) begging for financial gratification and any form of soliciting for assistance from visitors to the Presidential Villa and (ii) behaving in a manner inimical to the of conduct of security personnel working in the Presidential Villa will attract severe sanctions.

“Consequently, the CSO to the President/C-in-C has constituted a committee to discreetly monitor the activities of all security personnel working in the Presidential Villa.

“Any security personnel caught in such acts will have himself or herself to blame.

“This circular is to serve as a last warning to such violators of the code of conduct and ethics of security personnel/State House Staff working in the Presidential Villa.”

A source in the Presidency told our correspondent that the decision to put the operatives under check became necessary because of the authorities’ belief that the situation was degenerating into a security breach.

A security agent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the only way to curb the menace was for the authorities to start paying them their allowances.

The PUNCH had reported exclusively that security operatives in the Villa had started grumbling over their unpaid allowances.

The PUNCH said the “loyalty of the security operatives had dropped drastically” over the non-payment of the allowances.

It was reported that under former President Goodluck Jonathan, all security agents attached to the Presidential Villa, enjoyed what they called Risk Cautious Allowance.

The security officers include those of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, Nigerian Intelligence Agency, Federal Road Safety Commission and Fire Service, among others.

It was learnt that the Jonathan’s administration paid the allowance up until March last year and left those of April and May unpaid.
Extortion: Presidency keeps Villa security operatives under watch - Punch Newspapers