President Tinubu Orders Immediate Overhaul of Security Deployment, Prioritizes Anti-Kidnapping and Livestock Reform
Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday issued a series of decisive directives aimed at immediately restructuring security deployment and accelerating the nation’s livestock reform program, during the ongoing Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The President’s primary focus was on addressing the severe challenges of kidnapping and terrorism by optimizing the utilization of all available security forces.
In a major move to redeploy police officers from non-essential special protection duties back into core security operations, President Tinubu gave the following orders: The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) was instructed to be the primary point of contact for any security problems arising from the assignments of officials currently under special police protection. Any deployment changes must receive the President’s personal clearance. The Minister of Interior was directed to collaborate with the IGP and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) structure. The objective is to replace police officers currently on special security duties with NSCDC personnel, thereby ensuring that protected individuals are not left exposed while maximizing the deployment of police personnel for broader security needs. The National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) were tasked with forming a committee to provide further information and review the overall security structure to facilitate the immediate and effective implementation of the new policy.
“We face challenges of Kidnapping and terrorism, we need all the forces that we can utilise,” President Tinubu stated, emphasizing the urgent need for action.
Acknowledging the unique vulnerabilities of some government officials and the need for comprehensive security across the country, the President added further instructions: He acknowledged the need to make exceptional provision for certain exposed individuals, stressing that the Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) are also armed and capable. The NSA was specifically directed to prioritize and take seriously the arming of Forest Guards to enhance security within the nation’s vast forest reserves, often used as hideouts by criminal elements.
The President also turned his attention to mitigating the decades-long farmer-herder conflicts through a proactive economic approach centered on livestock reform. Vice President Kashim Shettima was tasked with presenting the matter to the National Economic Council (NEC). The goal is for the NEC to identify and determine which existing grazing reserves or villages can be salvaged, rehabilitated, and converted into modern Ranches or official Livestock Settlements. The President stressed that the reform must leverage the constitutional provision which grants states ownership of land. By exercising this requirement, states can convert salvageable land into viable livestock villages.
“We must eliminate the possibility of conflicts and turn the Livestock reform into economically viable development… let us stop this conflict area and turn it to economic opportunities and prosperity,” the President concluded, underscoring the potential for stability and economic growth through the initiative.
