The Federal Government has approved the formation of a new department in the Nigerian Police, that will regulate the deployment of officers for Escort operations.

According to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu will formalise the deployment of Police officers as escorts to VIPs and as guards to big corporations.

In a media press briefing after the FEC meeting in Abuja, he noted the approval was in the interest of accountability and transparency.

“The Minister of Police Affairs also had an important scheme which was approved at federal executive council meeting,

“It is the deployment of what they call Special Police Services. And this is about a new system that will formalise what has existed with us all the time.

“You know Police provide escort and guard for big corporations, banks, and so on. Now, in the interest of transparency and accountability, the government is formalising this relationship. And there will be an introduction of tariffs and billing schemes. This will be using PPP (public private partnership) arrangement.

“The Police projected the use of consultant that will help them to manage this. Part of the revenue will go to federal government. Part of it will go to the Police. Part of it will go into Police allowances. And part will go to consultants as their own fees.

“This is something that has been going on for many years. And it has happened virtually in all countries of the world. In our own case, it has remained largely, people will say, undocumented or non-formalised. Government is concerned about leakages in revenue and incomes which should be blocked.”He stated.