The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has announced the immediate reorganisation of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) to strengthen internal security and improve operational readiness.
This decision was communicated during a conference with PMF Squadron Commanders at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to a statement issued on X by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP stressed the need to realign the PMF with its original mandate.
The PMF, established as an elite strike unit, is designed to respond swiftly to riots, emergencies, and violent threats.
However, the IGP raised concerns over the diversion of PMF personnel to non-core duties.
He noted that personnel had increasingly been tasked with “non-core roles, including escort and guard duties for private individuals and VIPs,” which he believes has “undermined the unit’s effectiveness.”
To address these issues and revitalise the PMF, the IGP outlined several key measures.
These include “the immediate withdrawal of PMF personnel from unauthorised deployments,” regular “quarterly training focused on ethics and professionalism,” and ensuring “mandatory standby of fully equipped, combat-ready units across all Squadrons for rapid tactical support.”
Egbetokun further stated that PMF commanders will be held accountable for their personnel’s conduct.
He urged them to adopt proactive leadership through “regular training, inspections, and mentorship” to maintain “discipline, respect for human rights, and operational excellence.”
The statement also reiterated the Force’s commitment to restoring the PMF to its role as a “disciplined and dependable tactical arm.”
Egbetokun added that new leadership strategies and capacity-building initiatives would be introduced to help the unit tackle modern security challenges and align with global best practices.
The IGP expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his support and acknowledged the significant contributions of the Force’s international partners in improving training and technical capacity.
Egbetokun concluded by urging all PMF Squadron Commanders to embrace the reform initiative as a “professional and moral responsibility,” reaffirming the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to its core mandate of “safeguarding lives, property, and national security.”
