President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to ministers and other high-ranking government officials, insisting that the personnel are urgently needed for core security operations across the country.
The directive was issued on Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Tinubu stated that the country could no longer afford to keep large numbers of police officers tied down as escorts for government officials when the nation faces serious security challenges.
“I would rather deploy police officers from the VIP Protection Unit to perform real policing duties,” the President said. “I believe strongly in this decision, and I call on the Inspector-General of Police and the Minister of Police Affairs to take note.”
He clarified that while officials with special security concerns may still be protected, such requests must go through the IGP and receive presidential approval.
To ensure no one is left exposed, Tinubu instructed the Minister of Interior, the IGP, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to fill any security gaps created by the redeployment.
The President also ordered the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to strengthen intelligence gathering and set up a committee to review the nation’s security structure.
“Kidnapping and terrorism remain our biggest security challenges. We need all available forces deployed,” he said. “The Civil Defence officers are armed, and I want the NSA to ensure even our forest guards are properly equipped.”
Turning to the recurring farmers-herders conflicts, Tinubu tasked Vice President Kashim Shettima and the National Economic Council (NEC) to fast-track the livestock reform programme.
“NEC must identify which grazing reserves or villages can be rehabilitated into ranches,” he said. “We must end these conflicts and turn livestock production into an economically sustainable venture.”
He stressed that all reforms must respect state ownership of land while transforming conflict zones into hubs of prosperity and development.
