President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency and directed the army and police to expand their ranks in response to rising violence across several states. The president announced the move in a statement on Wednesday, saying it aims to strengthen the country’s security forces and increase their presence in high-risk areas.
Tinubu authorised the police to recruit 20,000 additional officers, bringing total new intakes to 50,000. He also approved the use of National Youth Service Corps camps as temporary training centres to speed up preparation for deployment. Officers withdrawn from VIP protection duties will receive rapid training before they are reassigned to frontline areas.
The president said the Department of State Services has approval to deploy trained forest guards to pursue armed groups hiding in remote areas. The agency will also recruit more personnel. “There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” he said.
Tinubu praised security agencies for securing the release of 24 kidnapped schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 abducted worshippers in Kwara. He said efforts continue to free the remaining students of the Catholic school in Niger State and other hostages still in captivity.
He urged the armed forces to “remain resolute” and uphold discipline as they work to restore peace nationwide. He assured them of federal support and commended their sacrifices, including those of soldiers killed in recent operations, such as Brigadier-General Musa Uba.
The president called on the National Assembly to review laws to enable states that want state police to establish them. He also advised governors to avoid siting boarding schools in remote areas without strong security and urged religious centres in vulnerable communities to maintain close contact with law enforcement.
Tinubu said the newly created Livestock Ministry will help end clashes between farmers and herders. He urged herder associations to adopt ranching, stop open grazing, and surrender illegal weapons.
He expressed sympathy to families affected by recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara, and appealed to citizens to stay calm and report suspicious activity. “We are in this fight together, and together we shall win,” he said.
The president closed by calling for unity and vigilance, saying the government will continue working to protect lives and preserve national stability.
