Abuja: President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency and ordered fresh recruitment into the Armed Forces to reinforce ongoing operations across the country. In a statement issued in Abuja, the president said the Nigeria Police Force would immediately recruit an additional 20,000 personnel, bringing the ongoing intake to 50,000.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the president stated that by this declaration, both the police and the army are authorized to recruit more personnel. The temporary use of National Youth Service Corps camps as police training depots has been authorized ahead of the upgrade of existing police training facilities. Tinubu further directed that officers withdrawn from VIP protection duties undergo rapid retraining before deployment to security-challenged areas.
The president also approved the deployment of trained forest guards by the Department of State Services to eliminate terrorists and bandits, with further recruitment planned to secure forested areas. He emphasized the urgency of the national emergency and the need for more personnel on the ground, especially in areas facing security challenges.
Tinubu praised security agencies for securing the release of 24 abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 worshippers in Kwara, while assuring continued efforts to rescue remaining hostages in Niger and other states. He urged the Armed Forces to maintain their discipline and assured them of full governmental support.
Additionally, the president expressed support for state-level security initiatives and requested the National Assembly to review laws to enable states to establish state police where necessary. He advised against locating boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security and urged religious centers in vulnerable communities to seek stronger protection.
Addressing herder-farmer conflicts, Tinubu called on herder associations to adopt ranching, cease open grazing, and surrender illegal weapons. He conveyed condolences to the families of victims of recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara, and paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including Brig.-Gen. Musa Uba. He concluded with a stern warning against underestimating the nation’s resolve.