President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency, unveiling a sweeping set of directives aimed at tackling the escalating wave of terror attacks and kidnappings across several states.
The President announced the measures in a statement issued on Wednesday, describing the situation as a “national emergency” that requires decisive action and collective national support.
Under the new directives, the Nigeria Police Force has been authorised to recruit an additional 20,000 personnel, bringing its total new intake to 50,000 officers.
The Nigerian Army has also been empowered to expand its manpower, with President Tinubu further approving the use of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, orientation camps as temporary training depots to fast-track police capacity building.
Officers withdrawn from VIP security duties will undergo immediate crash retraining before deployment to crisis-prone areas.
In a major boost to counter-terror operations, the President ordered the Department of State Services, DSS to deploy all trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits hiding in forests.
The DSS has also been directed to recruit additional operatives to strengthen the effort. “There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” Tinubu vowed.
The President commended the Armed Forces and security agencies for the recent rescue of 24 schoolgirls abducted in Kebbi State and 38 worshippers kidnapped in Kwara State.
He assured Nigerians that the government would intensify operations to secure the remaining students of the Catholic School in Niger State, as well as other citizens still in captivity.
He also paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba, describing their sacrifices as the price of national survival.
President Tinubu urged state governments to strengthen their local security outfits, while calling on the National Assembly to begin reviewing laws to allow states that require state police to establish them.
He also warned against operating boarding schools in remote areas without adequate protection and advised religious institutions in vulnerable regions to seek constant security presence during worship activities.
Reiterating his administration’s commitment to ending farmer-herder conflicts, Tinubu called on herder associations to embrace the new Livestock Ministry, end open grazing and surrender illegal weapons. He insists that “Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony.”
The President expressed sympathy to families affected by attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe and Kwara States, while urging Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative with security agencies.
He warns that “those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness,” he declared. “We are in this fight together, and together we shall win.”
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
