President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency in response to rising insecurity across the country, directing the Armed Forces, Police, DSS and other security outfits to immediately scale up manpower and operations.
In a State House statement, the President authorised the Nigeria Police Force to recruit an additional 20,000 personnel; raising its new intake target to 50,000. He also approved fresh recruitment for the Nigerian Army to bolster deployments in security-challenged areas.
Tinubu further permitted the police to use National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as temporary training depots, following an earlier approval to upgrade police training facilities nationwide. Police officers currently deployed as VIP escorts are to undergo accelerated retraining before being reassigned to frontline duties.
The President also directed the Department of State Services (DSS) to deploy all trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits operating within the nation’s forests. The agency has also been authorised to recruit additional personnel to strengthen forest security operations.
“This is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground,” Tinubu declared, urging citizens to support security agencies and remain vigilant.
He commended the coordinated efforts of security agencies in securing the release of 24 abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 kidnapped worshippers in Kwara State, assuring that efforts to rescue remaining captives in Niger State and elsewhere would not relent.
Tinubu praised the Armed Forces for their sacrifices, urging them to remain disciplined, resolute, and uncompromising in the fight against terrorism and criminality. He paid tribute to fallen heroes, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba, who died in active service.
The President also called on the National Assembly to review existing laws to allow states seeking state police to establish them. He advised states to avoid siting boarding schools in isolated areas without adequate security, and urged religious institutions in vulnerable zones to request police protection during worship.
Addressing one of the country’s longstanding security flashpoints, the President appealed to herder associations to embrace ranching and cooperate with the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development. He urged them to end open grazing and surrender illegal arms.
Tinubu expressed sympathy to families who lost loved ones in recent attacks across Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe and Kwara States, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to ending insecurity.
“Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness,” he warned.
The President urged Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant, and united, pledging that the Federal Government would continue to safeguard lives, strengthen national unity, and provide all necessary support to security agencies.
“Together we shall win,” he assured.
