President Bola Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police escorts attached to ministers and senior government officials, citing the need to deploy personnel for essential security operations nationwide. The directive was issued during Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting, where Tinubu said, “I would rather offer police officers from the VIP Protection or Very Very Important Persons Unit to perform real policing duties.” He instructed the Inspector-General of Police to begin the reassignment immediately.
Tinubu also directed the National Security Adviser and DSS to strengthen intelligence operations and review the security architecture as the country confronts kidnapping and terrorism. He said Civil Defence officers would replace withdrawn police escorts and urged the Interior Ministry to ensure no official is left exposed. He further tasked the Vice President and NEC with accelerating livestock reform, adding that rehabilitated grazing reserves could be converted into ranches to reduce farmer–herder conflicts.