Tinubu blows hot over slow implementation of security emergency

Disturbed by the slow implementation of the Security Emergency declared on November 26, President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, ordered Vice President Kashim Shettima; Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA); Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police (IGP); and other relevant ministers to immediately take appropriate steps to actualise the directive.

As part of the Security Emergency, the President had ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers from Very Important Personalities (VIPs) and the establishment of ranches to halt farmers–herders clashes, which have heightened insecurity across the country.

But the President, who expressed his disappointment over the slow implementation while speaking at the opening session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, reiterated his earlier instructions and directed the Vice President to engage with state governors on implementing the ranching directives.

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“I told the IGP, and I hope the Minister of Police Affairs is here, if you have any security problem because of the nature of your assignments, please contact the IGP and get my clearance,” he said.

He also directed Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, to “liaise with the IGP and the Civil Defence to structure and replace those police officers who are on special security duties, so that you don’t leave people exposed.”

“The NSA and DSS are to provide further information and form themselves into a committee to review the structures,” he added.

The President insisted that, “It should be effected. We face challenges of kidnapping and terrorism; we need all the forces that we can utilise.”

To further strengthen security, the President directed the NSA to submit proposals for arming the Forest Guards.

“I know some of our people are exposed, and I understand that we have to make exceptional provisions for them. Civil Defence officers are equally armed, and I want to know from the NSA what is required to arm our Forest Guards too. Take it very seriously.”

The President also instructed Vice President Shettima to work with the 36 state governors, who are members of the National Economic Council (NEC), to commence reforms in the livestock sector as outlined in the Security Emergency plan.

“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 or livestock settlements.

“We must eliminate the possibility of conflicts and turn the livestock reform into economically viable development. The opportunity is there; let’s utilise it.

“And it is in NEC, if we exercise the constitutional requirement which states that land belongs to the states.”

He also charged the NEC to immediately identify localities “they can salvage and convert into livestock villages,” adding, “Let us stop this conflict area and turn it into economic opportunities and prosperity.”