PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed all ministers and senior government officials to obtain presidential clearance before requesting police escorts for official assignments, as part of a broader effort to tighten security coordination and prevent gaps in public safety across the country.
News Point Nigeria reports that the directive was issued on Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja, amid heightened security concerns nationwide.
Tinubu said the indiscriminate deployment of police personnel to VIP protection duties often weakens frontline policing and exposes communities to security risks when officers are withdrawn without adequate replacement.
“I have told the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and I hope the Minister of Police Affairs is here to implement the directive,” the President said.
“If you have any problem with security because of the nature of your assignment, please contact the IGP and get my clearance,” he added.
The President stressed that tighter coordination among security agencies had become imperative, warning that lapses in deployment could have serious consequences for public safety.
To address manpower gaps created by special deployments, Tinubu ordered the Minister of Interior to work closely with the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure that communities are not left exposed.
“The Minister of Interior should liaise with the IGP and Civil Defence structure to replace those police officers who are on special security duties, so that you don’t leave people exposed,” Tinubu said.
He further directed the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to review the nation’s security architecture and provide recommendations for necessary adjustments.
“The NSA and the DSS should provide further information,” the President instructed.
Tinubu noted that the directive must be enforced immediately due to escalating security threats across different parts of the country, acknowledging that some public officials face high exposure risks requiring exceptional security provisions.
“I know some of our people are exposed and I understand that we have to make exceptional provision for them,” he said.
The President also raised concerns about the safety of rural communities, calling for stronger protection mechanisms, including the possible arming of forest guards to combat criminal activities in forested areas.
“The Civil Defence are equally armed, and I want to know from the NSA if we are to arm our forest guards too. We should take it very seriously,” Tinubu said.
Beyond security deployments, the President tasked the Vice President with engaging the National Economic Council (NEC) on reviving grazing reserves and developing ranches as part of ongoing livestock reforms aimed at addressing herder–farmer conflicts.
According to Tinubu, transforming salvageable lands into productive livestock hubs would help eliminate recurring conflicts while creating economic opportunities.
“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, adding that states must drive the process in line with constitutional provisions on land ownership.
Meanwhile, in a move that aligns with the President’s directive to strengthen policing capacity, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the deployment of a newly promoted Deputy Inspector-General of Police and 17 Commissioners of Police to strategic departments, commands and formations across the country.
The deployment, according to the Force Headquarters, is aimed at boosting operational efficiency, strengthening leadership and improving public safety and service delivery nationwide.
In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the postings followed recent promotions and formed part of ongoing efforts to reposition the Nigeria Police Force.
Hundeyin disclosed that the newly promoted Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Usaini Gumel, has been deployed to head the Force Intelligence Department.
Among the Commissioners of Police deployed, CP Aina Adesola was posted to the Delta State Police Command, CP Umar Mohammed Hajedia to the Kebbi State Police Command, while CP Iyamah Daniel Edobor was appointed Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command.
Other key postings include CP Osagie John Agans-Irabor as Commissioner of Police, Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, FCID Annexe, Lagos, and CP Johnson Ayodeji Babalola as Commissioner of Police, Special Enquiries Bureau, FCID, Abuja.
Also redeployed are CP Adepegba K. Adetoye to the Marine Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja; CP Tabitha Bako as Deputy Commandant, Police College, Kaduna; and CP Umar Ali Fagge as Deputy Commandant, Police College, Ikeja.
Further appointments include CP Audu Garba Bosso as Commissioner of Police, General Investigation, FCID Annexe, Kaduna.