President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Inspector-General of Police, heads of security agencies, and the National Economic Council (NEC) to embark on a comprehensive reorganisation of security deployment across the country, including arming forest guards and reviving abandoned grazing reserves into functional ranches.
The directive was issued during Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting as part of fresh measures to tackle worsening insecurity, including kidnapping, terrorism, and recurring clashes between farmers and herders.
The president acknowledged the vulnerability of many Nigerians and stressed the urgency of taking extraordinary steps to safeguard 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,” Mr Tinubu said.
He further emphasised that the instruction must be fully implemented, noting: “We face challenges of Kidnapping and terrorism, we need all the forces that we can utilise.”
President Tinubu also tasked Vice President Kashim Shettima with directing the NEC to identify which existing grazing reserves and settlements can be redeveloped into modern 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 who encounters security threats during the implementation process should immediately alert 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,” he said.
The president also directed the Minister of the Interior to work with the police and Civil Defence Corps to replace officers currently assigned to special duties so that regular policing of communities does not suffer.
“NSA and DSS to provide further information and form themselves the committee and review the structure,” he added.
Mr Tinubu restated his resolve to end sources of violent conflict while transforming livestock development into a profitable economic sector.
“The opportunity is there, let’s utilise it,” he said.
He further pointed out that land ownership is constitutionally vested in state governments, urging governors to determine locations suitable for livestock villages.
“Let us stop this conflict area and turn it into economic opportunities and prosperity,” the president said.
It will be recalled that on 23 November, President Tinubu ordered the immediate withdrawal of police personnel attached to VIPs nationwide. The Special Protection Unit of the Nigeria Police has commenced enforcement of that directive.
More recently, the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, revealed that 11,566 officers previously assigned to VIP protection had been recalled. Earlier on Wednesday, the Senate appealed to the president to exclude lawmakers from the policy.
