President Bola Tinubu has directed all ministers and senior government officials to obtain his approval before requesting police escorts for official duties.
The directive was issued on Wednesday, December 10, during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja. Tinubu said lapses in security coverage often occur when officers are reassigned without proper replacement planning, stressing the need for stronger inter-agency coordination.
“I have told the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and I hope the Minister of Police Affairs is here to implement the directive. If you have any problem with security because of the nature of your assignment, please contact the IGP and get my clearance,” he stated.
The President also instructed the Minister of Interior to work with the IGP and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to fill gaps created when officers are deployed for special duties.
“The minister of interior should liaise with the IGP and Civil Defence structure to replace those police officers who are on special security duties, so that you don’t leave people exposed,” he said.
Tinubu further directed the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the DSS to review the nation’s security framework and implement necessary adjustments, citing heightened security threats across the country.
He acknowledged that some officials face increased exposure risks and raised the possibility of arming forest guards to strengthen community protection.
“The civil defence are equally armed, and I want to know from the NSA if we are to arm our forest guards too. We should take it very seriously,” he added.
The President also tasked the Vice President with engaging the National Economic Council (NEC) on reviving grazing reserves and developing ranches as part of ongoing livestock reform efforts. He said resolving recurring herder–farmer conflicts requires transforming viable lands into productive livestock hubs.
“We must eliminate the possibility of conflicts and turn the livestock reform into economically viable development. The opportunity is there—let’s utilise it,” Tinubu said, emphasising that states must drive the process since land ownership is constitutionally under their control.