Tinubu Insists: No Going Back on Withdrawal of Police from VIPs as FEC Begins Enforcement Drive

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President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed that his directive ordering the withdrawal of police officers attached to VIPs, VVIPs, and government officials is final and non-negotiable.

A State House press release signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said President Tinubu gave the charge on Wednesday during the opening session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the State House Council Chamber in Abuja.

Addressing ministers and top government officials, President Tinubu warned that any form of non-compliance would not be tolerated. He urged ministers who genuinely require security support due to the nature of their assignments to seek clearance only through the Inspector General of Police (IGP). “If you have any problem because of the nature of your assignments, please contact the IGP and get my clearance,” the President said. To ensure total enforcement, the President directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam; and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to oversee the full implementation of the redeployment order. President Tinubu explained that the Nigerian Police Force is primarily trained to protect the lives and property of ordinary citizens, especially the most vulnerable, and should not be disproportionately assigned to guard a small group of VIPs. He emphasized that moving officers back to core policing duties will help strengthen national security. As part of the transition, the President announced that the Ministry of Interior will arrange for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to take over VIP protection where necessary. “The National Security and Civil Defence Corps are trained for VIP protection, and they are armed too,” he said. The President added that the police structure will undergo comprehensive reviews to ensure enhanced deployment to communities troubled by insecurity, including kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism. “We need all forces utilised. I know some people are exposed; we will make the exceptions. The Civil Defence is very much around,” he noted. President Tinubu further instructed ministers to seek special approval from the IGP for assignments requiring police involvement, stressing: “NSA, take this very seriously.” In another directive, the President tasked Vice President Kashim Shettima, in his role as Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC), to intensify engagement with state governors on advancing livestock reforms and implementing ranching initiatives. He ordered the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, to begin mobilization efforts, particularly in conflict-prone communities, and to identify villages, grazing areas, or lands suitable for ranch development. “We must eliminate this area of conflict and make livestock reform economically viable. The opportunity is there, let’s utilize it,” President Tinubu said, reiterating that land remains under the constitutional authority of state governments. He stressed that properly implemented ranching would significantly curb farmer-herder clashes and reduce attacks on vulnerable rural communities.