NEWS
PRESIDENT TINUBU ORDERS SECURITY OVERHAUL, ARMS FOREST GUARDS, MOVES TO REVIVE GRAZING RESERVES INTO MODERN RANCHES IN NATIONWIDE ANTI-INSECURITY DRIVE
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued sweeping directives for a comprehensive reorganisation of Nigeria’s security architecture, mandating the Inspector-General of Police, heads of security agencies, and the National Economic Council (NEC) to immediately restructure security deployment nationwide. The move includes arming forest guards and converting abandoned grazing reserves into fully functional ranches as part of renewed efforts to tackle the escalating wave of insecurity.
The far-reaching instructions were announced during Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting, marking one of the strongest security interventions of the administration amid rising incidents of kidnapping, terrorism, and violent clashes between farmers and herders.
President Tinubu, acknowledging the increasing vulnerability faced by Nigerians across different regions, stressed that exceptional and urgent measures are required to restore safety and stability.
“I know some of our people are exposed and I understand that we have to make exceptional provision for them, and civil defence is equally armed, and I want the NSA to arm our forest guards too, take it very seriously,” Mr. President said.
Underscoring the gravity of the situation, he added that full compliance with the new security directives is non-negotiable.
“We face challenges of Kidnapping and terrorism, we need all the forces that we can utilise.”
As part of the reforms, the president directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead NEC in identifying abandoned or existing grazing reserves and settlements that can be transformed into modern livestock communities.
“Again, especially livestock reform, I think the Vice President should get the NEC first of all to see which villages or grazing reserves can be salvaged or rehabilitated into Ranches, Livestock settlements,” he said.
President Tinubu also issued fresh instructions to security officials involved in implementing the reforms, urging them to escalate any threats encountered in the course of their assignments.
“And I told the IGP, and I hope the minister of police affairs is here. If you have any security concerns because of the nature of the assignment, please contact the IGP and get my clearance,” he said.
In a related directive aimed at improving policing efficiency, the president ordered the Minister of the Interior to collaborate with the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to withdraw officers deployed on special duties so that routine community policing does not deteriorate.
“NSA and DSS to provide further information and form themselves the committee and review the structure,” he added.
Reaffirming his determination to end the root causes of conflict, particularly those linked to open grazing and land disputes, President Tinubu highlighted the economic potential of transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector.
“The opportunity is there, let’s utilise it,” he said.
He reminded governors that under the constitution, land administration rests with the states, urging them to determine viable locations for livestock settlements. “Let us stop this conflict area and turn it into economic opportunities and prosperity,” the president said.
The latest directives follow the president’s earlier order on 23 November mandating the withdrawal of police personnel attached to VIPs nationwide, a policy that the Special Protection Unit of the Nigeria Police has already begun enforcing, signaling the administration’s commitment to reallocating security resources where they are most needed.
This decisive move marks a new phase in the federal government’s push to restore national security, strengthen local policing, and modernize the livestock industry as part of long-term peace-building efforts.