President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday announced a national security emergency, unveiling sweeping measures aimed at boosting the country’s security architecture amid escalating attacks across several states.
In a national address, the President authorised the recruitment of thousands of new personnel into the Armed Forces, Police, and Department of State Services, stating that the urgency of the moment demanded “more boots on the ground.”
“Today, in view of the emerging security situation, I have decided to declare a nationwide security emergency and order additional recruitment into the Armed Forces,” Tinubu said.
The president directed the Nigeria Police Force to hire an additional 20,000 recruits, increasing the ongoing recruitment figure to 50,000 officers.
He also permitted police authorities to convert National Youth Service Corps camps into temporary training depots to fast-track preparation of new intakes.
“By this declaration, the police and the army are authorised to recruit more personnel. The police will recruit an additional 20,000 officers,” he stated.
Tinubu further ordered that officers withdrawn from VIP protection units be retrained and redeployed to high-risk areas.
The President also authorised the DSS to deploy already-trained forest guards to confront bandits hiding in remote forests. He instructed the agency to hire more personnel to strengthen operations.
“There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” he warned.
Tinubu praised security operatives for the recent rescue of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 worshippers in Kwara State, assuring Nigerians that efforts would continue until all abducted persons, including students of a Catholic school in Niger State, are freed.
He also pledged federal backing for states that have set up their own security outfits, encouraging the National Assembly to begin the process of enabling states to create state police.
“I call on the National Assembly to begin reviewing our laws to allow states that require state police to establish them,” he said.
Tinubu advised states to reconsider situating boarding schools in isolated areas without adequate security, and urged churches and mosques—especially in vulnerable locations—to maintain close collaboration with security agencies.
Reiterating his administration’s resolve to end open grazing, the President appealed to herders’ associations to embrace ranching and work with the newly created Livestock Ministry.
“Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony,” he noted.
Tinubu expressed sympathy to families affected by recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States, and paid tribute to fallen security operatives, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.
The President stressed that the government would not relent in its efforts to restore peace.
“Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness,” he said.
“Together we shall win.”
The President urged Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive of security efforts as the country moves into what he described as a “decisive phase” of restoring safety nationwide.
