President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency as part of sweeping measures to confront escalating insecurity across Nigeria.
The president directed the Nigerian Police Force to recruit an additional 20,000 officers, raising the total approved intake to 50,000 personnel.
He also authorised the military to expand its ranks and approved the temporary use of NYSC orientation camps as police training centres.
Tinubu 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.”
He explained that police officers withdrawn from VIP protection duties would undergo accelerated retraining before deployment to high-risk areas.
The president further empowered the Department of State Services to deploy trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits hiding in the nation’s forests, with additional recruitment planned to strengthen these operations.
“This is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground," Tinubu said, calling for national unity.
"As Nigerians, we should all get involved in securing our nation.”
He commended security agencies for rescuing 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 worshippers in Kwara State and reaffirmed his commitment to freeing kidnapped students still held in Niger State.
He also honoured fallen soldiers, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba, describing them as heroes of national sacrifice.
Tinubu urged the National Assembly to review existing laws to enable states to establish their own police forces, and called on state governments, religious institutions, and communities to strengthen local security measures.
The President also highlighted the government’s Livestock Ministry Initiative, urging herders to embrace ranching, end open grazing, and surrender illegal weapons to curb farmer-herder conflicts.
“Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony,” he said.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and cooperative: “Report suspicious activities. We are in this fight together, and together we shall win.”
