ABUJA — Confronted with a surge in violent attacks and mass abductions, President Bola Tinubu has declared a national security emergency, ordering large-scale recruitment into the armed forces and police and opening the door for states to set up their own police forces.
In a statement personally signed by him, the President authorised the recruitment of an additional 20,000 police officers, bringing ongoing recruitment to 50,000, and directed the military to also take in more personnel.
“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.
He further approved the use of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as temporary police training depots, to fast-track the pipeline of new officers. Police escorts withdrawn from Very Important Personalities (VIPs), he added, are to undergo crash retraining before being redeployed to frontline, security-challenged areas.
On intelligence and internal security, Tinubu ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately deploy all already-trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits sheltering in forests and to recruit more personnel dedicated to that task.
“There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” he declared, urging Nigerians to “get involved in securing our nation.”
Significantly, the President asked the National Assembly to begin reviewing the law to allow any state that wishes to do so to establish state police. He also pledged federal backing for sub-national security outfits already operating across the country.
Tinubu used the address to commend security agencies for the rescue of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 worshippers in Kwara State, and vowed that efforts would continue until the remaining abducted pupils of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State and other kidnap victims are freed.
He cautioned state governments against siting boarding schools in remote, poorly secured locations and advised mosques and churches, particularly in vulnerable areas, to work closely with security agencies when planning major gatherings.
On farmer–herder clashes, the President urged herder associations to end open grazing and surrender illegal weapons, saying the Federal Government created the Ministry of Livestock to support a transition to ranching.
“Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony,” he said.
Sympathising with families affected by recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe and Kwara, Tinubu warned those behind the violence not to mistake government “restraint for weakness.”
“I urge all Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant. Report suspicious activities. Cooperate with security agencies,” he said. “We are in this fight together, and together we shall win.”
