Tinubu Insists Police Must Leave VIP Escorts, Directs Shettima to Drive Ranch Project
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his directive ordering the withdrawal of police personnel assigned as escorts to Very Important Persons (VIPs), insisting that the officers must return to core policing duties to tackle rising insecurity nationwide.
Speaking shortly before presiding over the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House, Abuja, Tinubu expressed frustration over the slow enforcement of the policy, first issued on November 23, saying there would be no reversal of the decision.
“I honestly believe in what I said…It should be effected,” the President told cabinet members. “If you have any problem because of the nature of your assignment, contact the IGP and get my clearance.”
To prevent security lapses, Tinubu directed the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to coordinate with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to immediately replace withdrawn police escorts with civil defence personnel where necessary.
“The minister of interior should liaise with the IG and Civil Defence to replace officers on special security duties, so you don’t leave people exposed,” he said.
The President instructed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Department of State Services (DSS) to issue further guidelines and supervise the implementation. “NSA and DSS will provide further information and form themselves into the committee to review the structure,” he noted.
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Tinubu framed the decision as part of a broader strategy to confront a surge in kidnappings across several northern states. “We are facing challenges of kidnapping. We need all the forces we have on the ground, fully utilised,” he said, while acknowledging that certain officials may still require protected escorts.
He disclosed that he had directed the NSA to arm forest guards as part of expanded community security measures, saying, “I have directed the NSA to arm our forest guards too. Take it seriously.”
In a separate policy push, the President tasked Vice-President Kashim Shettima to leverage the National Economic Council (NEC) to identify and rehabilitate existing grazing reserves into ranches and livestock settlements. He said the move aims to reduce farmer-herder clashes and unlock the economic value of the livestock sector.
“Livestock reform should be economically viable development. The opportunity is there. Let’s utilise it,” Tinubu said. “Land belongs to the states, so whichever grazing reserves can be salvaged or converted into livestock villages, let us stop the conflict areas and turn it into prosperity.”
The renewed directive comes nearly three weeks after Tinubu ordered the withdrawal of police escorts from VIPs to free manpower for investigations, highway patrols and school security following a wave of kidnappings across Kebbi, Kwara and Niger States, where over 300 people, mostly schoolchildren, were abducted.
In a statement at the time, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said VIPs requiring armed protection must henceforth request personnel from the NSCDC.
By PRNigeria
