PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared tat his directive ordering the withdrawal of police officers from Very Important Persons (VIPs), Very Very Important Persons (VVIPs), and serving ministers remains firm and irreversible, warning that non-compliance will not be tolerated.
News Point Nigeria reports that speaking on Wednesday at the opening of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held in the State House Council Chamber, President Tinubu instructed all ministers and privileged officeholders currently using police escorts to immediately comply with the directive and seek clearance only when strictly necessary.
“There is no going back on the directive to redeploy police officers working with VIPs, VVIPs and ministers,” the President said emphatically.
“If you have any problem because of the nature of your assignments, please contact the IGP and get my clearance.”
President Tinubu ordered the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam; and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure full and immediate implementation of the directive across all ministries and agencies.
According to the President, police officers are primarily trained and mandated to protect the lives and property of ordinary citizens especially the most vulnerable and should not be reduced to personal security operatives for a select class of privileged individuals.
To fill any protection gaps arising from the withdrawal of police personnel, President Tinubu announced that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has been directed to deploy operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for VIP protection duties.
“The National Security and Civil Defence Corps are trained for VIP protection, and they are armed too,” Tinubu noted, stressing that their deployment would allow the police to refocus on tackling the country’s pervasive insecurity challenges.
The President said freeing up police manpower was critical to addressing ongoing threats such as kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism.
“The entire structure will be reviewed to better address vulnerable citizens and communities,” he said. “We need all forces utilised. I know some people are exposed; we will make the exceptions. The Civil Defence is very much around.”
He reminded ministers that any special assignment requiring police protection must be cleared directly with the Inspector General of Police.
“NSA, take this very seriously,” the President warned.
Beyond security restructuring, President Tinubu also used the FEC session to push for faster implementation of livestock and ranching reforms aimed at resolving herder-farmer conflicts across the country.
He instructed Vice President Kashim Shettima, in his capacity as Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC), to intensify engagement with governors and stakeholders to ensure full understanding and compliance with the reforms.
Additionally, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, was directed to immediately commence mobilisation in conflict-prone areas and identify villages or grazing zones that can be rehabilitated for ranching.
“We must eliminate this area of conflict and make the livestock reform economically viable,” Tinubu said. “The opportunity is there; let’s utilise it. You should emphasise the constitutional requirement that the land belongs to the state.”
The President stressed that establishing ranches will protect vulnerable communities, reduce farmer-herder clashes, and ensure long-term stability in affected regions.
Wednesday’s directives underline the administration’s push to optimise national security resources, strengthen policing, and accelerate reforms targeted at resolving longstanding conflicts.