- Police Must Leave VIPs for Frontline Duty – Tinubu
- Vice-President Kashim Shettima assigned to lead livestock-sector reforms
- The President linked the renewed urgency to the recent wave of abductions across the country
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday reaffirmed his decision to withdraw police escorts from VIPs, saying the move is part of wider security reforms aimed at tackling rising kidnappings and strengthening Nigeria’s depleted law-enforcement capacity.
Eko Hot Blog reports that at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, the President insisted that the directive must be enforced without exception.
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“I honestly believe in what I said… It should be effected. If you have any problem because of the nature of your assignment, contact the IGP and get my clearance,” he said.
Tinubu directed the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to work with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure that VIPs are not left vulnerable when police officers are reassigned.
He added that the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Department of State Services (DSS) would form a committee to guide the implementation process. “NSA and DSS will provide further information and form themselves the committee and review the structure,” he said.
The President linked the renewed urgency to the recent wave of abductions across the country. “We are facing challenges of kidnapping. We need all the forces we have on the ground, fully utilised,” he noted. He clarified that civil defence personnel could take over VIP protection roles where needed.
Tinubu also announced that forest guards would now be armed. “I have directed the NSA to arm our forest guards, too. Take it seriously,” he said.
In a separate directive, the President assigned Vice-President Kashim Shettima to lead livestock-sector reforms through the National Economic Council (NEC). Shettima is to identify grazing reserves that can be restored and converted into ranches to reduce farmer-herder clashes.
“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,” Tinubu said.
He emphasised that the initiative aims to eliminate conflicts linked to open grazing and unlock economic opportunities through a modernised livestock industry.
“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 stated.
Tinubu’s comments come three weeks after he first ordered the withdrawal of police officers from VIP duties in response to mass abductions in Kebbi, Kwara and Niger States. The directive has generated public debate, with Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka recently questioning the extensive security assigned to an individual later identified as the President’s son.
FURTHER READING
- Tinubu Tasks Federal Universities on Sustainable Funding, Infrastructure Upgrade
- Shettima Leaves Abuja For Côte d’Ivoire As Tinubu’s Representative
- US Congressional Delegation Visits Nigeria For Security Talks
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