JUST IN: Tinubu Orders Redeployment of Police from Ministers

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers assigned as personal escorts to ministers and other senior government officials, directing that they be redeployed to core policing duties nationwide. The directive was issued during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Tinubu emphasized that police resources should focus on essential security tasks rather than providing VIP protection. He urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Minister of Police Affairs to ensure the reassignment of personnel, while the Minister of Interior, the IGP, and the Civil Defence are expected to fill gaps in special security duties to avoid leaving officials exposed.

The President also instructed the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Services to enhance intelligence gathering and review the current security framework. He highlighted the ongoing threats of kidnapping and terrorism, calling for a strategic deployment of all available security forces, including arming forest guards and Civil Defence officers as needed.

In addition to security directives, Tinubu charged the National Economic Council and the Vice President with accelerating the implementation of the livestock reform initiative. He stressed that salvaging or rehabilitating villages and grazing reserves into ranches should reduce conflicts between farmers and herders, promote economic opportunities, and operate within constitutional land ownership frameworks.

The President framed these measures as steps to strengthen national security, prevent exposure of government officials, and turn conflict-prone areas into economically productive regions.