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By Oscar Okhifo
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to ministers and other top government officials, directing that they be redeployed to core security duties across the country.
Announced during Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the move reflects the president’s determination to tackle the over-allocation of security personnel to VIPs, a concern recently highlighted by Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, who criticized the heavy protection assigned even to the president’s son.
The decision also aims to address the glaring security gaps in rural and semi-urban areas, where ordinary citizens remain exposed to criminal gangs while high-profile figures enjoy extensive police protection.
Tinubu explained that he prefers police officers from the VIP Protection Unit to be deployed for core security tasks rather than serving as personal escorts for government officials.
“I would rather offer police officers from the VIP Protection or Very Very Important Persons Unit to perform real policing duties,” the President said.
“I honestly believe in what I have said and I call on the Inspector-General of Police, and I hope the Minister for Police Affairs is here, to take note.”
He added that the decision was aimed at strengthening national security and ensuring that law enforcement personnel are properly utilized.
“If you have any problem related to the nature of your assignment, please contact the IGP and get my clearance,” Tinubu stated.
“The Minister for Interior, along with the IGP and the Civil Defence structure, should replace those police officers who are on special security duties so that we don’t leave people exposed.”
The President also directed the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to provide additional intelligence support and form a committee to review the current security structure.
“The first challenge is here and there, kidnapping and terrorism. We need all the forces that we can deploy,” Tinubu said.
“I know some of our people are exposed, and we must make exceptional provisions for them. The Civil Defence officers are equally armed, and I want the NSA to take it very seriously, even to the point of arming our forest guards.”
In addition, Tinubu charged the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Vice President to accelerate the implementation of the livestock reform initiative, aimed at resolving recurring conflicts between farmers and herders.
“Especially on livestock reform, I think the Vice President should get NEC to identify which villages or grazing reserves can be salvaged or rehabilitated into ranches,” he said.
“We must eliminate the possibility of conflict and turn livestock reform into an economically viable development.”
The President emphasized that the initiative should be carried out within the constitutional framework that recognizes land ownership by states.
“Whichever land they can salvage, convert it to livestock villages or other viable ventures. Let us stop these conflict areas and turn them into economic opportunities and prosperity,” Tinubu added.
The withdrawal of police escorts, now extended to high-ranking government officials like serving ministers, signals the seriousness of the president’s directive.
Across the country, politicians, business people, pastors, entertainers, traditional rulers, and others have long enjoyed police protection, leaving ordinary citizens vulnerable in rural and semi-urban communities.
The move seeks to correct this imbalance, ensuring law enforcement personnel are deployed where they are most needed.