By Ademola Adekusibe
11th December 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that the directive withdrawing police officers from VIPs, VVIPs and ministers is final and non-negotiable, warning all government officials to ensure immediate compliance.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in the State House, Abuja, the President cautioned ministers against ignoring the order. “If you have any problem because of the nature of your assignments, please contact the IGP and get my clearance,” he said.
President Tinubu instructed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to strictly follow up on the implementation.
He stressed that police officers are trained primarily to safeguard the lives and property of citizens, especially the vulnerable, and should not be reduced to private security for a handful of VIPs. He announced that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, will coordinate the replacement of withdrawn police escorts with personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“The National Security and Civil Defence Corps are trained for VIP protection, and they are armed too,” the President noted.
Tinubu added that the police would be redeployed to address the country’s rising security challenges, saying the entire security structure would undergo adjustments to better protect vulnerable communities. “We face challenges here and there of kidnapping, banditry and terrorism. We need all forces utilised. I know some people are exposed; we will make the exceptions. The Civil Defence is very much around,” he said.
The President directed ministers requiring police protection for special assignments to meet the IGP and secure clearance. “NSA, take this very seriously,” he said.
President Tinubu also tasked Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chairman of the National Economic Council, with further sensitising governors and key stakeholders on the rollout of ranching reforms. He instructed the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, to begin mobilisation immediately, focusing on conflict-prone communities.
“The Minister of Livestock, see which village or grazing area can be rehabilitated for ranching. We must eliminate this area of conflict and make the livestock reform economically viable. The opportunity is there, let’s utilise it. You should emphasise the constitutional requirement that the land belongs to the state,” President Tinubu said.
He maintained that ranching remains central to reducing farmer-herder clashes and protecting rural populations.
