President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday defended his decision to withdraw police escorts from VIPs, saying the move is part of wider steps to deal with rising kidnappings and strengthen Nigeria’s overstretched security agencies.
Speaking at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, the President restated that police officers must be redeployed from protecting individuals to frontline duties. He insisted that the directive must be carried out.
“I honestly believe in what I said… It should be effective. If you have any problem because of the nature of your assignment, contact the IGP and get my clearance,” Tinubu said.
To manage the transition, he instructed the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to work closely with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure that no one is left without basic protection.
He said civil defence personnel would take over VIP escort duties where needed so that “you don’t leave people exposed.”
Tinubu stated that the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and the Department of State Services (DSS) would oversee the process.
“NSA and DSS will provide further information and form the committee and review the structure,” he added.
The President tied the move directly to recent cases of abduction, noting that police officers were needed on the ground. “We are facing the challenges of kidnapping. We need all the forces we have on the ground, fully utilised,” he said.
Tinubu also confirmed that forest guards, who work in remote areas where kidnappers often operate, would now be armed.
“I have directed the NSA to arm our forest guards, too. Take it seriously,” he told officials.
Beyond policing, the President assigned Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead new reforms in the livestock sector through the National Economic Council (NEC). He said the goal is to revive old grazing reserves and develop ranches to reduce conflicts between farmers and herders.
Tinubu said: “The Vice President should get the NEC first of all to see which villages or grazing reserves can be salvaged or rehabilitated into ranches, livestock settlements.”
He explained that the reforms should help end violence linked to open grazing and turn the livestock sector into a source of economic growth.
“We must eliminate the possibility of conflicts and turn the livestock reform into economically viable development. The opportunity is there. Let’s utilise it,” he said.
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