President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed ministers and other top government officials to obtain his approval before requesting police escorts for official engagements, citing growing security concerns nationwide.
The directive was issued during a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as the President expressed worry over the unchecked deployment of police officers to provide VIP protection.
Tinubu said the indiscriminate use of police personnel by public office holders weakens security at the community level, as officers are often withdrawn from their duty posts without adequate replacement.
“I have told the Inspector-General of Police, and I hope the Minister of Police Affairs is here to implement the directive,” the President said.
“If you have any security challenge because of the nature of your assignment, you must contact the IGP and obtain my clearance,” he added.
The President also instructed the Minister of Interior to work closely with the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to ensure that officers deployed for special duties are properly replaced.
“The Minister of Interior should liaise with the IGP and the Civil Defence structure to replace those police officers on special security duties, so that communities are not left exposed,” Tinubu said.
He further directed the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to review the country’s overall security architecture and provide additional briefings.
“The NSA and the DSS should give us further information,” the President instructed.
While acknowledging that some officials face heightened security risks, Tinubu said special protection would still be provided where necessary.
“I know some of our people are exposed, and I understand that exceptional provisions may be required in certain cases,” he noted.
The President also raised concerns about security in rural areas, asking whether forest guards should be armed to better tackle threats.
“The Civil Defence is already armed, and I want to know from the NSA whether we should also arm our forest guards. We must take this matter very seriously,” he said.
On livestock reforms, Tinubu directed the Vice President to work with the National Economic Council on the development of grazing reserves and ranches.
“We must eliminate the possibility of conflict and turn livestock reform into an economically viable venture. The opportunity is there, and we must utilise it,” the President added.