President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency, directing the police, the army and intelligence agencies to immediately expand their manpower and intensify operations across the country. The President announced the measures in a national broadcast on Wednesday, saying the security threats confronting Nigeria require urgent and extraordinary action.
Tinubu authorised the Nigeria Police Force to recruit an additional 20,000 personnel, raising the new intake to 50,000 officers. He also approved the use of National Youth Service Corps camps as temporary training depots, following an earlier approval for the upgrade of police training facilities nationwide. The President said officers withdrawn from VIP protection should undergo crash training and be redeployed to volatile areas where their presence is needed most.
“We are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas,” the President said. “This is a national emergency, and the times require all hands on deck.”
He also authorised the Department of State Services to deploy all trained forest guards to clear terrorists and bandits hiding in forest regions, alongside fresh recruitment to strengthen operations. “There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” Tinubu vowed.
The President commended the efforts of security agencies in securing the release of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 abducted worshippers in Kwara State, assuring Nigerians that the government is intensifying efforts to rescue the remaining abducted Catholic school students in Niger State and other victims still in captivity.
To the military, Tinubu delivered a stern message on discipline and integrity. “This is a challenging moment for our nation and for the military institution itself. I charge you to remain resolute. There must be no compromise, no collusion and no negligence. The Nigerian people are counting on you.”
He also urged the National Assembly to begin reviewing the legal framework to allow states that desire state police to establish them. The President pledged federal support to states that have set up complementary security outfits.
On the persistent farmer-herder conflicts, Tinubu reiterated that the creation of the Livestock Ministry is a long-term solution and called on herders to embrace ranching and discard open grazing. “Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony,” he said, urging herders to surrender illegal weapons.
The President sympathised with families affected by recent attacks across Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe and Kwara States, paying tribute to fallen soldiers including Brigadier-General Musa Uba. He warned those challenging the nation’s resolve. “Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness.”
Tinubu appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and cooperative. “I urge all Nigerians to remain calm. Report suspicious activities. We are in this fight together, and together we shall win.”
He prayed for the protection of Nigeria’s armed forces and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to preserving peace and national unity.
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