The Nigeria Police Force has withdrawn the security details attached to the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
The order for the withdrawal was contained in a Police Wireless Message obtained by SaharaReporters on Thursday night.
It read, “CB:4001/DOPS/PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.
DOPS ABUJA X BEGINS X CB:4001/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.21/
YOURS X ATTACHED TO HIS EXCELLENCY X ALHAJI YAHAYA BELLO X FORMER EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF KOGI STATE WIE X ALL TO
ACKNOWLEDGE COMPLIANCE X TREAT WITH UTMOST IMPORTANCE. PLEASE X ENDS X ABOVE FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND STRICT
COMPLIANCE PLEASE XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
On Wednesday, some Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives barricaded Bello’s Abuja residence.
However, the current governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, intervened to prevent the arrest of the former governor of the state by the EFCC operatives.
Ododo’s team had escorted Bello out of the location in the governor’s vehicle.
Bello was also absent in court earlier on Thursday when the EFCC arraigned him.
His arraignment came after a warrant of arrest and enrolment order was granted to the EFCC by the court on Wednesday.
Subsequently, the agency declared Bello wanted for an alleged financial crime to the tune of N80.2 billion.
The commission said in a bulletin that “anybody with information as to his whereabout should report immediately to the Commission or the nearest police station.”
SaharaReporters earlier reported how EFCC asked all security agencies to place Bello on their watch list to prevent him from leaving the country “through any land, air or sea borders.”
Granting the request and circulating the EFCC directive, the Nigeria Immigration Service in an internal circular seen by SaharaReporters directed its area and zonal commands to arrest Bello if seen.
The circular stated that the former Kogi governor was under investigation and there was a suspicion that he might leave the country to evade investigations.
“VERY URGENT PLEASE!!! I am directed to request you to place the above named subject on watch list with immediate effect. Subject has resisted arrest and arraignment therefore he may run out of the country anytime. Please accept the assurances of the CGIS’s warmest regards and esteem,” it read.
Copied in circular are the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Inspector General of Police and others.
