President Bola Tinubu has instructed ministers and top government officials to seek his direct approval before making any requests for police escorts during official engagements.
The President issued the directive on Wednesday at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the State House in Abuja. He said the move became necessary due to security gaps often created when officers are reassigned without proper replacement arrangements.
Tinubu emphasized the need for stronger coordination between security agencies, stating:
“I have told the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and I hope the Minister of Police Affairs is here to implement the directive. If you have any problem with security, because of the nature of your assignment, please contact the IGP and get my clearance.’’
He also directed the Minister of Interior to work with the IGP and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure that officers deployed on special duties are promptly replaced.
According to him: “The Minister of Interior should liaise with the I-GP and Civil Defence structure to replace those police officers who are on special security duties, so that you don’t leave people exposed.”
Tinubu further instructed the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to review the country’s security architecture and implement necessary changes.
“The NSA and the DSS should provide further information,’’ he added.
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He stressed that the new directive must take immediate effect, citing the growing security concerns nationwide. The President acknowledged that some officials face heightened risks and urged relevant agencies to improve community-level protection, including the deployment and possible arming of forest guards.
“I know some of our people are exposed, and I understand that we have to make exceptional provision for them. The civil defence is equally armed, and I want to know from the NSA if we are to arm our forest guards too. We should take it very seriously,” he said.
Tinubu also tasked the Vice President with engaging the National Economic Council (NEC) on the revival of grazing reserves and the development of ranches as part of comprehensive livestock reforms. He noted that resolving herder–farmer conflicts requires transforming underutilized land into viable livestock production zones.
“We must eliminate the possibility of conflicts and turn the livestock reform into economically viable development. The opportunity is there, let’s utilise it,” the President said.
He concluded by reminding states of their responsibility to drive the process in line with constitutional land ownership provisions.