Tinubu Declares Nationwide Security Emergency, Orders Massive Recruitment

President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency in response to the escalating insecurity across the country, directing the military, police and DSS to immediately boost personnel strength and intensify operations.

In a statement personally signed yesterday, the President ordered the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force to commence additional recruitment, while instructing the National Assembly to begin the process of amending laws that would enable states willing to establish state police do so.

Tinubu also authorised the Department of State Services, DSS, to deploy all trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits hiding in forested areas. He further directed the agency to recruit more personnel dedicated to forest operations.

He said:
“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. By this declaration, the police and the army are authorised to recruit more personnel. The police will recruit additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total to 50,000.”

Tinubu added that the police may now use National Youth Service Corps camps as temporary training depots, following earlier approval for upgrades to police training facilities.

He directed that police officers previously withdrawn from VIP protection should undergo accelerated retraining before deployment to high-risk zones.

“The DSS also has my authority to immediately deploy all the forest guards already trained to flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in our forests… There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” he said.

The President commended security agencies for securing the release of 24 abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 kidnapped worshippers in Kwara State, assuring that efforts were ongoing to rescue remaining abductees, including students from the Catholic School in Niger State.

He charged the armed forces to “remain resolute” and warned against “compromise, collusion, or negligence,” stressing that Nigerians were counting on them.

Tinubu also pledged federal support for states that had already established their own security outfits, and called on the National Assembly to begin the legal process for allowing state police.

He advised states to reconsider operating boarding schools in remote locations without adequate security and urged religious centres to work closely with police in vulnerable areas.

On herder–farmer conflicts, the President urged herders to stop open grazing and surrender illegal arms.
“Our administration created the Livestock Ministry… Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony,” he said.

He sympathised with families affected by recent attacks in Kebbi, Zamfara, Borno, Niger, Yobe and Kwara states and honoured soldiers who died in the line of duty, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.

Warning those behind the violence, Tinubu said:
“Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness.”

He urged citizens to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies and not give in to fear, expressing confidence that Nigeria would overcome the current crisis.

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