President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday reiterated his directive that police personnel currently assigned to Very Important Persons (VIPs) should be withdrawn and redeployed to bolster core security operations amid rising cases of kidnapping and banditry across the country.
Speaking moments before presiding over the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House, Abuja, Tinubu expressed frustration over the slow pace of compliance with his earlier directive.
“I honestly believe in what I said, It should be effective. If you have any problem because of the nature of your assignment, contact the IGP and get my clearance,” the President declared.
To prevent exposing certain officials who may require a security detail due to the sensitivity of their roles, Tinubu directed that the Ministry of Interior and other security agencies should step in.
“The Minister of Interior should liaise with the IG and the Civil Defence structure to replace those police officers who are on special security duties, so that you don’t leave people exposed,” he said.
President Tinubu also instructed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Department of State Services to form a committee and ensure the directive is fully implemented.
“NSA and DSS will provide further information and form themselves the committee and review the structure,” Tinubu said, adding that the current security architecture must be urgently recalibrated to reflect present-day realities.
Framing his directive as a response to growing insecurity, especially kidnappings in rural areas, the President emphasised the need for maximum deployment of all available forces.
“We are facing challenges of kidnapping. We need all the forces we have on the ground, fully utilised,” he stressed.
In a related move, Tinubu revealed he has also directed the NSA to ensure forest guards are equipped with firearms to help confront criminal elements operating in remote areas.
“I know some of our people are exposed and I understand that we have to make exceptional provision for them… Civil Defence is equally armed and I want to know that from NSA to arm our forest guards too. Take it very seriously,” the President charged.
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