President Bola Tinubu has directed the Inspector General of Police, security chiefs, and the National Economic Council to begin an extensive overhaul of security deployment nationwide. The plan includes arming forest guards and converting unused grazing reserves into modern ranches.
The directive was issued during Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting as part of renewed efforts to curb rising insecurity, from kidnapping and terrorism to frequent clashes between farmers and herders.
The president acknowledged the growing vulnerability of citizens and stressed the need for extraordinary action to protect lives and property.
“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 the NSA to arm our forest guards too, take it very seriously,” he said.
He made it clear that the instruction must be carried out without delay. “We face challenges of Kidnapping and terrorism, we need all the forces that we can utilise.”
President Tinubu also directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to work with the NEC to identify grazing reserves and settlements that can be converted into ranches and livestock communities.
“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,” he said.
He added that any official facing security risks during the process should immediately inform the police leadership. “And I told the IGP, and I hope the minister of police affairs is here. If you have any security concerns because of the nature of the assignment, please contact the IGP and get my clearance.”
The president also instructed the Minister of the Interior to work with the police and Civil Defence Corps to ensure officers assigned to special duties are replaced so that core policing responsibilities are not affected.
“NSA and DSS to provide further information and form themselves the committee and review the structure,” he added.
Mr Tinubu restated his commitment to ending violent conflict and transforming livestock development into a viable economic opportunity. “The opportunity is there, let’s utilise it,” he said.
He reminded governors that land ownership is vested in the states and urged them to identify suitable locations for livestock villages. “Let us stop this conflict area and turn it into economic opportunities and prosperity,” he said.
The directive comes weeks after the president ordered the withdrawal of police personnel from VIP escorts nationwide. The IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, confirmed on Wednesday that 11,566 officers previously assigned to VIP protection have already been recalled, even as the Senate appealed for lawmakers to be exempted from the policy.
