President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency in response to rising insecurity across the country, directing the police, the army, and the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately scale up their personnel and operations.
In a statement released from the State House on Wednesday, President Tinubu ordered the Nigeria Police Force to recruit an additional 20,000 officers — raising the total number of recruits to 50,000. He also authorised the military to expand its recruitment to boost deployments in security-challenged areas.
The President further approved the temporary use of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as training depots to fast-track police readiness. Officers withdrawn from VIP protection duties are also to undergo crash retraining before being deployed to high-risk locations.
On forest security, President Tinubu empowered the DSS to deploy all trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits hiding in forests nationwide. The agency has also been cleared to recruit more personnel to strengthen coverage.
“This is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground,” the President said, urging Nigerians to support security efforts and remain vigilant.
Tinubu commended security agencies for the successful rescue of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 worshippers in Kwara State, while assuring that ongoing efforts to free remaining abducted students in Niger State and other victims across the country would be sustained.
He also hailed the Armed Forces for their sacrifices, charging them to uphold discipline and integrity in ongoing operations. “There must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence. The Nigerian people are counting on you,” he said.
The President expressed support for states that have established security outfits and called on the National Assembly to begin reviewing laws to allow interested states to set up their own police forces.
On recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States, Tinubu extended condolences to affected families and honoured fallen military personnel, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.
He also urged herders to embrace ranching and work with the newly created Federal Ministry of Livestock to end farmer-herder conflicts, while discouraging open grazing and the possession of illegal weapons.
Tinubu advised states to avoid establishing boarding schools in isolated areas without adequate security and encouraged religious centres in vulnerable regions to seek regular protection from security agencies.
Calling for unity and resilience, the President urged Nigerians not to succumb to fear. “Report suspicious activities. Cooperate with security agencies. We are in this fight together, and together we shall win,” he said.
