President Bola Tinubu has again insisted that police officers attached to VIPs must be withdrawn and returned to their core duties of policing communities. He restated the directive on Wednesday just before chairing the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Tinubu expressed frustration over the slow compliance with the policy, saying, “I meant what I said. It should be implemented. If anyone has challenges because of their assignment, they should contact the IGP and get my clearance.”
To ensure no gaps in security, the President instructed the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to work with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, as well as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to deploy replacements where necessary. He emphasized that VIPs should not be left unprotected but stressed that civil defence officers can take up those roles.
He also directed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and the Department of State Services to issue guidelines and form a committee to ensure full compliance with the directive.
Tinubu linked the decision to rising cases of kidnapping across the country, saying all available security personnel must be deployed where they are most needed. He added that forest guards would now be armed to strengthen security in vulnerable areas.
Beyond security, the President gave Vice President Kashim Shettima the task of fast-tracking livestock reforms through the National Economic Council. He charged the council to identify and rehabilitate old grazing reserves and convert them into modern ranches and livestock settlements.
According to Tinubu, this move is aimed at ending recurring farmer-herder clashes while boosting the livestock economy. “We must eliminate areas of conflict and turn livestock reform into an economic opportunity,” he said.
Wednesday’s directive comes nearly three weeks after Tinubu first ordered the withdrawal of police escorts from VIPs. The initial policy followed multiple kidnapping incidents, including the abduction of over 300 people across Kebbi, Kwara and Niger States.
The conversation around VIP security also intensified earlier this week after Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka criticised what he described as an “excessive battalion of security operatives” assigned to Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son. Soyinka said he was shocked by the size of the entourage and questioned its justification.
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