By Daniel Peters.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a national security emergency and directed the immediate recruitment of additional personnel into the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force to tackle escalating security challenges across the country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, President Tinubu said the move was necessary in view of the “emerging security situation” confronting the nation.
“In view of the emerging security situation, I have decided to declare a nationwide security emergency and order additional recruitment into the Armed Forces,” the President stated.
By this directive, the Nigeria Police Force is to recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total intake to 50,000. The Nigerian Army is also expected to expand its personnel strength accordingly.
The President further authorised the Police to utilise National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps nationwide as temporary training depots and directed that officers withdrawn from VIP guard duties undergo intensive retraining before redeployment to security-challenged areas.
Tinubu also granted the Department of State Services (DSS) approval to immediately deploy already-trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits hiding in forests. He further directed the agency to recruit more personnel to boost forest surveillance nationwide.
“This is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas. The times require all hands on deck,” he said.
The President commended security agencies for their coordinated efforts leading to the release of 24 abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 worshippers in Kwara State, assuring that efforts would be sustained to rescue students of Catholic School, Niger State, and other Nigerians still in captivity.
He urged members of the Armed Forces to remain resolute, disciplined, and uncompromising in restoring peace across all theatres of operation.
Tinubu also expressed support for state-level security outfits and called on the National Assembly to initiate a review of existing laws to enable states seeking state police to establish them.
He advised state governments to reconsider siting boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security and encouraged worship centres in vulnerable zones to work closely with security agencies.
Touching on farmer-herder conflicts, the President appealed to herder associations to embrace ranching and utilise the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development to end open grazing and associated violence. He urged herders to surrender illegal weapons in their possession.
Tinubu extended condolences to families of victims of recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States, and paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.
“Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness. This administration has the courage and determination to keep the country safe and ensure our citizens live in peace,” he warned.
The President urged Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with security agencies.
“We are in this fight together, and together we shall win,” he declared.
The declaration underscores the administration’s renewed determination to boost manpower and strengthen operational capacity as security threats persist nationwide.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
