President Tinubu Declares National Security Emergency, Orders Massive Recruitment Into Army, Police

President Bola Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency and authorised an immediate expansion of personnel across the Armed Forces, as part of new measures to tackle rising insecurity in several parts of the country.

In a statement issued from the State House, the President directed the Nigeria Police Force to recruit an additional 20,000 personnel, raising the total number of new police intakes earlier approved to 50,000. 

The Nigerian Army was also authorised to embark on further recruitment to boost manpower in conflict-prone areas.

The President said the new directive was necessitated by the evolving security situation across the country and the need to deploy more personnel to “security-challenged areas.”

He also ordered the police to convert National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps into temporary training depots, complementing the ongoing upgrade of police training facilities nationwide.

Additionally, police officers being withdrawn from VIP protection duties were directed to undergo “crash training” before redeployment to frontline operations.

The President further authorised the Department of State Services to immediately deploy trained forest guards to flush out criminals hiding in forests, and to recruit additional personnel for the assignment.

“This is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground,” Tinubu said, urging Nigerians to support security agencies and remain vigilant.

While commending the agencies for the rescue of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 worshippers abducted in Kwara State, the President assured that efforts were ongoing to free remaining abductees, including students of a Catholic school in Niger State.

Tinubu also reiterated the administration’s support for state governments that have established their own security outfits and called on the National Assembly to begin reviewing laws to allow states that desire it to set up state police.

He advised state governments to avoid siting boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security and urged religious centres in vulnerable locations to seek police protection for major gatherings.

On the recurring clashes between herders and farmers, the President urged herder associations to embrace ranching and take advantage of the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development. 

He also appealed to herders to surrender illegal firearms.

President Tinubu extended condolences to families affected by recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States, and paid tribute to soldiers who died in combat, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.

“There must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence,” he warned security operatives, stressing that the administration has the “courage and determination” to restore peace nationwide.

The President called on citizens to remain calm, report suspicious activities, and support efforts to safeguard the country.