By Ayo Ayodele
Tinubu Declares Nationwide Security Emergency, Orders Massive Recruitment Into Army, Police
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency in response to rising attacks across the country, directing the Armed Forces, Police, and Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately expand their personnel strength and intensify operations in high-risk areas.
In an address from the State House, the President announced that the Nigeria Police Force would recruit an additional 20,000 officers—bringing recent recruitment approvals to 50,000—while the Nigerian Army is also authorised to embark on fresh recruitment to bolster frontline operations.
Tinubu further ordered the police to convert National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps into temporary training depots to fast-track the onboarding of new recruits. Officers currently being withdrawn from VIP protection duties are to undergo crash retraining and be redeployed to critical security theatres.
The President also directed the DSS to deploy trained forest guards nationwide and immediately commence fresh recruitment to strengthen anti-terror operations in forests notorious for harbouring bandits and insurgents.
“This is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas,” Tinubu said. “There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil.”
Tinubu commended security agencies for the recent rescue of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 worshippers abducted in Kwara State, assuring that efforts to free kidnapped students from Catholic School in Niger State and other hostages remain ongoing.
The President hailed the Armed Forces for their sacrifices, urging them to remain disciplined and resolute in restoring peace across all theatres of operation. He paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba, and sympathised with families affected by recent killings in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States.
Tinubu also called on the National Assembly to begin reviewing laws to enable willing states to establish state police. He urged states to reconsider operating boarding schools in unsafe, remote areas and encouraged religious centres to seek police protection during gatherings.
Speaking on herder–farmer conflicts, the President emphasized that the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development was designed to end decades of clashes. He urged herder groups to embrace ranching, stop open grazing, and surrender illegal weapons.
“To those who want to test our resolve, never mistake our restraint for weakness,” Tinubu warned. “This administration has the courage and determination to keep the country safe.”
He called on citizens to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with security agencies, stressing that unity and resilience remain crucial in overcoming the nation’s security challenges.