President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency in response to the escalating wave of attacks across several states. In a major directive issued on Wednesday, the President ordered immediate large-scale recruitment into the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force to boost security operations nationwide.
Under the new measures, the Police are authorised to recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the ongoing recruitment to 50,000 personnel. The President also approved the temporary use of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as training depots, while officers withdrawn from VIP guard duties will undergo accelerated retraining for deployment to frontline areas.
President Tinubu further directed the Department of State Services (DSS) to deploy trained forest guards and recruit more personnel to secure forested regions used as hideouts by terrorists and bandits. He emphasised that the government will not tolerate any safe haven for criminals.
The President commended security agencies for securing the release of abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi and worshippers in Kwara, while assuring ongoing efforts to rescue remaining hostages, including students kidnapped in Niger State. He also paid tribute to fallen military personnel, notably Brigadier-General Musa Uba.
He urged the National Assembly to begin reviewing laws that would enable states that require state police to establish them. He also cautioned governors against locating boarding schools in remote areas without adequate protection and advised religious centres to maintain close security coordination in vulnerable areas.
The President reaffirmed that the Ministry of Livestock Development is central to resolving herder–farmer conflicts, urging herder associations to embrace ranching and surrender illegal weapons. He described ranching as the sustainable path to peace and unity.
Tinubu called on Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with security agencies, assuring that the government has the determination to defeat criminal elements and safeguard national stability.
