… Gives go ahead to Army, Police to recruit new personnel
…. Asks NASS to pave way for State Police
In a bold response to escalating security threats across the nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency, authorizing massive recruitment drives for the armed forces and police while urging lawmakers to pave the way for state police forces.
In a detailed statement personally signed by him from the State House, President Tinubu announced, “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 emphasized that this declaration empowers the police and army to bolster their ranks immediately. Specifically, “The police will recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total to 50,000.”
To expedite training, the president approved the use of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as temporary depots, noting that he had “previously approved the nationwide upgrade of police training facilities.” He also directed the withdrawal of officers from VIP guard duties for “crash training to debrief them and deliver more efficient police services when deployed to security-challenged areas of the country.”
Turning to forest-based threats, Tinubu authorized the Department of State Services (DSS) to “immediately deploy all the forest guards already trained to flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in our forests” and to “recruit more men to man the forests.”
He declared, “There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil.”
The president commended recent successes, stating, “Let me take this moment to commend our security agencies for working together to secure the release of the 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and the 38 worshippers in Kwara State.” He pledged to “continue to sustain the efforts to rescue the remaining students of Catholic School in Niger State and other Nigerians still being held hostage.”
Addressing broader reforms, Tinubu called on the National Assembly “to begin reviewing our laws to allow states that require state police to establish them.” He urged states to “rethink establishing boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security” and advised religious institutions to “constantly seek police and other security protection when they gather for prayers, especially in vulnerable areas.”
On the herder-farmer conflicts, the president highlighted the new Livestock Ministry, calling on herder associations to “take advantage of it, end open grazing and surrender illegal weapons.”
He added, “Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony.”
Tinubu expressed sympathies for victims of recent attacks in states like Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara, paying tribute to fallen soldiers, including “Brigadier-General Musa Uba.” He warned adversaries, “Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness.”
In a rallying cry, the president urged unity: “My fellow Nigerians, this is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground… As Nigerians, we should all get involved in securing our nation.” He concluded, “I urge all Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant. Report suspicious activities. Cooperate with security agencies. We are in this fight together, and together we shall win.”
This declaration comes amid ongoing challenges from banditry, terrorism, and communal clashes, signaling a potential shift toward decentralized policing in Africa’s most populous nation.
