President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a fresh directive to the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately review his previous security instructions.
The goal is to take steps to ensure that no citizen is left exposed as the country grapples with escalating challenges of kidnapping and terrorism.
Speaking during an address to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, the President stressed the urgency of the matter.
The President mandated the NSA and DSS to collaborate, “provide further information and form themselves into a committee,” to thoroughly review and implement the directive without delay.
“So that you don’t leave people exposed, NSA and DSS to provide further information and form themselves the committee and review the instruction,” he said.
Tinubu stressed the need to utilize all available forces to combat insecurity.
“We face challenges of kidnapping and terrorism, we need all the forces that we can utilise. I know some of our people are exposed and I understand that we have to make exceptional provision for them,” he said.
The President asked the NSA to seriously consider the role of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and explore arming Forest Guards to secure vast, ungoverned forest areas used by bandits and terrorists.
“And civil defence are equally armed and I want to know that from NSA to arm our forest guards too, take it very seriously,” he said.
Naijaonpoint reports that this directive follows previous orders to withdraw police personnel from general escort duties, freeing up manpower for active security operations in conflict zones.
In a related directive aimed at mitigating farmer-herder conflicts, the President gave fresh instructions on the government’s livestock reform agenda.
President Tinubu mandated Vice President Kashim Shettima to immediately convene the National Economic Council (NEC).
He tasked the NEC with identifying existing villages or grazing reserves that can be salvaged or rehabilitated into ranches and livestock settlements.
According to the President, the ultimate goal is to “eliminate the possibility of conflicts” and turn livestock management into an “economically viable development” opportunity.
“Livestock settlement, we must eliminate the possibility of conflicts and turn the livestock reform into economically viable development. The opportunity is there, let’s utilise it,” he said.
The President reiterated that, constitutionally, land belongs to the states, and NEC should guide the process based on this constitutional provision to ensure local ownership and reduce conflict.
“And it is in NEC we would emphasise the constitutional requirement which states that the land belongs to the states. Whichever one they can salvage, convert to livestock village. Let us stop this conflict area and turn it to economic opportunities and prosperities,” he added.
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