President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency in response to the escalating insecurity across the country, directing the Armed Forces, the police, and the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately expand their personnel strength and intensify operations.
In a statement personally signed by the President, he authorised the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force to undertake additional recruitment, with the police expected to enlist 20,000 new officers—raising their current recruitment figure to 50,000.
Tinubu also urged the National Assembly to begin reviewing existing laws to enable states that are ready to establish their own police forces to do so, saying decentralised policing has become necessary in the face of rising security threats.
He further instructed the DSS to deploy all trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits hiding in the nation’s forests, and directed the agency to recruit additional personnel to secure vulnerable areas.
“This is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged regions. The times require all hands on deck,” the President said.
He also mandated that police officers previously assigned to VIP protection duties undergo urgent retraining before being redeployed to frontline operations.
Tinubu commended the combined efforts of security agencies in securing the release of 24 abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 worshippers kidnapped in Kwara State, and pledged that his administration would intensify operations to rescue the remaining students of the Catholic School in Niger State and others still held hostage.
Addressing the armed forces, the President urged them to remain firm, disciplined and uncompromising in their operations. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting military and security agencies with necessary resources to restore peace nationwide.
On the rising conflicts between herders and farmers, Tinubu appealed to herder associations to adopt ranching, end open grazing and surrender illegal weapons. He emphasised that the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development will work with states to resolve long-standing clashes once and for all.
The President also sympathised with families of victims killed in recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe and Kwara States, and paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.
Warning those behind the attacks, Tinubu said they must not mistake the government’s restraint for weakness. He reaffirmed that his administration has the resolve to secure the nation and ensure citizens live in peace.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, cooperate with security agencies, and avoid giving in to fear or despair.
“Let us stand together in strength and purpose to defend our country. Together, we shall overcome,” he said.
