President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency in response to the rising wave of attacks by bandits, terrorists, and other armed groups across Nigeria. The announcement comes amid growing concerns over the safety of citizens in vulnerable areas.
As part of the emergency measures, the President has ordered an expansion of recruitment into both the Armed Forces and the police. The police are set to recruit an additional 20,000 officers, increasing their total strength to 50,000. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps will now serve as training facilities, supplementing previous upgrades to police training institutions. Officers withdrawn from VIP protection duties are also required to undergo crash retraining to enhance their readiness for deployment in high-risk areas.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has been empowered to fully activate forest security operations, deploying trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits. Additional recruitment for the DSS has also been authorized. “There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” the President said.
Describing the situation as “a national emergency,” Tinubu emphasized that the federal government is deploying more personnel to critical locations. He also appealed to citizens to assist in national security efforts, stating: “The times require all hands on deck. As Nigerians, we should all get involved in securing our nation.”
The President commended security forces for recent successes, including the rescue of abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 worshippers seized in Kwara State. He assured that efforts continue to recover remaining hostages, including students from a Catholic school in Niger State.
Tinubu urged military personnel to uphold discipline and integrity, warning against collusion, negligence, or compromise. He pledged full support from his administration to ensure the effectiveness of security operations.
Additionally, he encouraged states with security outfits to seek federal assistance and called on the National Assembly to review legislation to allow the establishment of state police where necessary. He cautioned against placing schools in remote, unsecured areas and advised religious institutions to maintain security measures during gatherings.
On the issue of farmer-herder conflicts, Tinubu reiterated the government’s support for ranching through the Ministry of Livestock Development. He called on herders to abandon open grazing and surrender illegal weapons.
Finally, the President expressed condolences to families affected by recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States, and paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba. In a unifying message, he urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies: “Do not give in to fear or despair. Together, we shall overcome these challenges and restore peace.”