President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency and ordered the recruitment of additional personnel into Nigeria’s Armed Forces and police to tackle the country’s escalating security challenges.
The President authorised the police to recruit 20,000 new officers, bringing the total to 50,000, and directed that National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps be used as temporary training facilities. Officers withdrawn from VIP duties will undergo crash training to improve deployment efficiency in high-risk areas.
The President also instructed the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately deploy trained forest guards to pursue terrorists and bandits hiding in forests and to recruit additional personnel for forest security operations.
“This is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas,” Tinubu said, urging Nigerians to actively participate in safeguarding the nation.
Commending the security agencies for recent successful rescue operations, including the release of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 worshippers in Kwara, Tinubu vowed to sustain efforts to free other abducted citizens. He praised the courage of the Armed Forces and stressed the need for discipline, integrity, and zero tolerance for collusion or negligence.
The President also announced support for state security outfits and called on the National Assembly to review laws to allow states to establish their own police forces where necessary. He warned that schools in remote areas should reconsider location security, and places of worship should seek police protection.
Addressing herder-farmer conflicts, Tinubu urged herder associations to end open grazing, surrender illegal weapons, and adopt ranching, assuring government support for sustainable livestock management.
He sympathised with families of victims in recent attacks across Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States, and honoured fallen soldiers, 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,” Tinubu said, urging citizens to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with security agencies.
The President concluded by calling for national unity, resilience, and collective action to defend Nigeria’s freedom and values.
