President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday reaffirmed his order to pull police officers off VIPs and return them to core policing.
He stated this minutes before presiding over the Federal Executive Council at the State House, Abuja.
“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,” Tinubu said, sounding fed up with the slow pace of compliance.
He directed the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to liaise with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the National Security and Civil Defence Corps to immediately replace withdrawn escorts so “you don’t leave people exposed.”
“The minister of interior should liaise IG and the Civil Defence structure to replace those police officers who are on special security duties.
“So that you don’t leave people exposed,” he insisted.
He asked the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Department of State Services to issue further guidance and ensure the directive is effected.
Tinubu said, “NSA and DSS will provide further information and form themselves the committee and review the structure.”
Framing the move as a response to a spike in abductions, the President said, “We are facing challenges of kidnapping. We need all the forces we have on the ground, fully utilised.”
He added that while some officials remain vulnerable, civil defence personnel should step in for VIP protection where necessary.
“I know some of our people are exposed and I understand that we have to make exceptional provision for them and civil defence is equally armed and I want to know that from NSA to arm our forest guards too, take it very seriously.
Tinubu also disclosed that forest guards will be armed, saying, “I have directed the NSA to arm our forest guards, too. Take it seriously,” the President stated.
The President also tasked Vice-President Kashim Shettima to use the National Economic Council to identify and rehabilitate grazing reserves into ranches, aiming to defuse farmer-herder flashpoints and formalise the livestock economy.
He directed, “Again, especially livestock reform, I think 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.
https://punchng.com/tinubu-restates-police-withdrawal-from-vips-directs-shettima-to-lead-ranch-initiative/
