President Bola Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers assigned to ministers and other high-ranking government officials, stating that the security personnel are required for core policing duties across Nigeria.
The President issued this directive on Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held in Abuja.
He expressed his strong preference for police officers to be deployed for essential security work rather than serving as personal escorts for government personnel.
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He offered a quoted statement on his stance:“I would rather offer police officers from the VIP Protection or Very Very Important Persons Unit to perform real policing duties,” the President stated. “I honestly believe in what I have said and I call on the Inspector-General of Police, and I hope the Minister for Police Affairs is here, to take note.”
President Tinubu explained that this decision is aimed at strengthening national security and ensuring the proper utilization of available law enforcement personnel.
He provided guidance for officials who feel exposed by the withdrawal:“If you have any problem related to the nature of your assignment, please contact the IGP and get my clearance,” Tinubu said.
“The Minister for Interior, along with the IGP and the Civil Defence structure, should replace those police officers who are on special security duties so that we don’t leave people exposed.”
The President linked the urgency of this measure to the current security challenges: “The first challenge is here and there, kidnapping and terrorism. We need all the forces that we can deploy.”
He further directed the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to provide additional intelligence, form a committee to review the existing security structure, and make provisions for vulnerable officials.
He also noted a significant measure to bolster security:“I know some of our people are exposed, and we must make exceptional provisions for them. The Civil Defence officers are equally armed, and I want the NSA to take it very seriously, even to the point of arming our forest guards.”
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