President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his directive for the redeployment of police officers currently attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs), insisting that the order must be fully enforced.
He also directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to urgently convene a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) to advance the administration’s ranching agenda and address recurring conflicts associated with open grazing.
The President made the remarks on Wednesday shortly before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Tinubu said any government official who requires protection due to the nature of their duties must liaise with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun and seek clearance from him.
He further instructed the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to work closely with the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure that withdrawn officers are suitably replaced where necessary, without compromising anyone’s safety.
The President stressed that Nigeria’s security challenges—particularly kidnapping—require the optimal deployment of available manpower rather than the assignment of officers to VIP duties.
He added that the NSCDC would assume greater responsibility in filling security gaps and disclosed that he had authorised the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to fast-track the arming of forest guards to enhance security in rural and forested areas.
On livestock reforms, Tinubu directed Vice President Shettima to convene the NEC to identify villages, grazing reserves or other suitable locations that could be rehabilitated and developed into modern ranches.
