Tinubu Reinstates VIPs Police Withdrawal Order, Assigns Shettima To Lead Ranch Plan

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday restated his decision to remove police officers from VIP escorts and return them to core duties, when he addressed top government officials shortly before the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House in Abuja. He explained that the step is meant to tackle rising cases of kidnapping and free more officers for community work, patrols and investigations, while also creating room for other security agencies to fill the gap where necessary.

Tinubu directed the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to work directly with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to provide immediate replacements for VIP protection so that individuals with genuine security risks are not left without cover. He noted that civil defence officials would take over escort duties for those who truly need it and should be properly armed for the job. He also said that the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Department of State Services must issue clear guidance on how the directive should be carried out and ensure every agency involved plays its role.

The President explained that some officials remain exposed because of their responsibilities, but insisted that this should not stop the ongoing restructuring of police deployments. He stated that forest guards will now be armed to support broader security operations, stressing that these units must begin to function more effectively to respond to attacks happening in rural areas.

Tinubu also gave a new assignment to Vice President Kashim Shettima, asking him to use the National Economic Council to identify old grazing reserves that can be revived and turned into ranches and livestock settlements. He said the aim is to reduce clashes between farmers and herders, bring order to the livestock sector and help states adopt a planned system that will reduce open grazing and long-distance cattle movement. He asked state governments to work with the NEC on available land since land matters fall under their authority, and urged them to convert any recoverable area into livestock communities that can boost the economy instead of fuelling conflict.

The reminder from the President came about three weeks after he first ordered the withdrawal of police details from VIPs during a security meeting in Abuja. That earlier directive followed a series of mass abductions in states such as Kebbi, Kwara and Niger, where hundreds of schoolchildren and residents were taken by armed groups. The government had announced at the time that VIPs seeking escorts would now obtain armed protection from civil defence officers, allowing police manpower to be redeployed to highways, schools and vulnerable communities.

Hours before the latest meeting, a video of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka circulated online, where he described witnessing a very large security escort surrounding a young man reportedly close to the presidency. The individual was later identified as Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son. Soyinka questioned why such a level of protection was attached to a private citizen and said he was surprised by what he saw. His comments added public attention to the discussion around security escorts and the use of police personnel for private protection.

Tinubu’s renewed warning to all government officials shows his intention for the directive to be carried out without delay, with security agencies now expected to implement the changes immediately across the country.