Tinubu declares security emergency, orders massive recruitment into Nigerian Army, Police
…20,000 more police officers to be recruited –
President Bola Tinubu has declared a national security emergency in response to rising insecurity across the country and has ordered a large-scale recruitment drive into the Nigerian Army, Police, and other security outfits.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the president said the move was necessary to boost manpower and “deploy more boots on the ground,” especially in areas currently facing severe security challenges.
As part of the emergency measures, the president authorised the recruitment of additional 20,000 police officers, bringing the total number of new intakes approved this year to 50,000.
Mr Tinubu further directed that National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, camps may be used as police training depots, following his earlier approval for the upgrade of police training facilities nationwide.
He also mandated that police personnel withdrawn from VIP protection duties immediately undergo crash training to prepare them for deployment to volatile regions requiring intensified security operations.
The president also ordered additional recruitment into the Armed Forces while granting the State Security Service, SSS, the authority to fully deploy all trained forest guards to root out terrorists and bandits in forests across the country.
“There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” Tinubu vowed, adding that the DSS also has approval to recruit more personnel to man forests nationwide.
President Tinubu hailed the successful rescue of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 worshippers in Kwara State, crediting improved collaboration among security agencies.
He assured that efforts to free the remaining abducted students of Catholic School, Niger State, and others still in captivity would continue.
The president also paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba, describing them as “heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Mr Tinubu announced that the federal government would support state governments that have established security outfits to protect their citizens from terrorists and violent criminals.
He urged the National Assembly to start reviewing relevant laws to enable states that require state police to legally establish them.
He also issued security advice to citizens and policymakers: States should reconsider boarding schools in remote areas without proper security. Mosques and churches in vulnerable areas should actively seek security protection. Citizens must remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
Mr Tinubu reiterated that the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development will tackle long-standing clashes between farmers and herders. He called on herder groups to embrace ranching, end open grazing, and surrender illegal weapons.
“Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony,” he said.
President Tinubu appealed to Nigerians not to succumb to fear, but to show unity and resilience in the face of insecurity.
“Let us stand together in purpose and strength to defend our freedom and values. We are in this fight together — and together we shall win,” he asserted.
