President Bola Tinubu delivered a stern reminder on Wednesday that his directive to pull police escorts from ministers, VIPs must be carried out without delay. He spoke shortly before leading the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House in Abuja, making clear that the slow pace of compliance had tested his patience. He urged those who believe they require exceptions to route such requests through the Inspector-General of Police for his personal clearance.
He instructed the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to work with the Inspector-General of Police and the Civil Defence Corps to replace withdrawn escorts so that exposed officials are not left without protection. His warning was firm, and he emphasised that the transition must be smooth.
The President noted that the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Department of State Services would develop additional guidelines and supervise the full enforcement of the policy. According to him, their role includes reviewing the wider security structure and ensuring that the new system functions without gaps.
Tinubu linked the renewed push to the rising wave of kidnappings across several states, explaining that more officers are needed on highways, in schools and in communities. He said civil defence personnel may take on some VIP protection duties while police officers return to core policing. The President added that forest guards will now be armed to reinforce rural security, describing the measure as urgent.
He also directed Vice-President Kashim Shettima to use the National Economic Council to identify grazing reserves that can be converted into ranches. He said this could reduce farmer-herder tensions and rebuild the livestock economy in a structured way.
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Wednesday’s charge came nearly three weeks after his initial order on November 23, which followed coordinated attacks in Kebbi, Kwara and Niger States where more than 300 people, mostly schoolchildren, were abducted. The Presidency announced then that police personnel attached to VIPs would be redeployed to frontline duties, while those still seeking escorts would rely on the Civil Defence Corps.
The debate widened on Tuesday after Professor Wole Soyinka criticised the size of a security convoy attached to a young figure close to the Presidency. He later revealed that the entourage belonged to Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, and questioned the scale of protection he observed. His comments, captured in a video that gained rapid attention online, added pressure to the administration’s push for reform.
Tinubu’s renewed directive signals a decisive step to redirect security resources to where they are most needed as Nigeria confronts an evolving kidnapping crisis.
