No Going Back On Directive to Withdraw Police Officers From VIPs - Tinubu

By Our Reporter 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that the directive to redeploy police officers working with VIPs, VVIPs and ministers is not negotiable, admonishing all ministers to ensure immediate compliance. 

President Tinubu gave the stand on Wednesday, while speaking at the opening of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in the State House Council Chamber, warning against non-compliance. 

This was just as he urged whoever has problem complying with the directive because of the nature of his or her assignments to contact the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egebtokun, and also get presidential clearance. 

"If you have any problem because of the nature of your assignments, please contact the IGP and get my clearance," Tinubu said. 

Besides, the president directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Police Affairs, Sen. Ibrahim Gaidam, and the IGP, Egebtokun, to follow up on the implementation of the order, noting that police officers were trained to protect the lives and property of citizens, particularly the most vulnerable in society and, therefore, protection of a select group of VIPs and VVIPs was not their responsibility. 

He, therefore, directed ministers to meet the IG and get his clearance for special assignments that required police protection, urging the NSA to take the directive very seriously.

“NSA take this very seriously,” he directed.

According to him, the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) are trained, and armed too for VIPs' protection, saying that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, would make arrangements for the replacement of police officers by the Civil Defence Corps. 

President Tinubu noted that the police would be mobilised appropriately to tackle the country’s security challenges, saying that the entire structure would be reviewed to better address vulnerable citizens and 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. 

President Tinubu also urged the Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is the Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC), to further sensitise governors and other stakeholders on the implementation of the reforms on ranching. 

The president, to this end, directed the Minister, Idi Muktar Maiha, to commence the mobilisation process, with particular emphasis on areas facing conflict. 

"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," he stated. 

President Tinubu directed that villages and communities facing conflicts must be salvaged, noting that implementing ranching will reduce conflicts between herders and farmers and attacks on the most vulnerable members of society.