President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday declared a national emergency on security, directing Nigeria’s security agencies to recruit more personnel to confront widespread violence and kidnapping across the country.
In a statement released from the State House, the president instructed the Nigerian Police Force to enlist 20,000 additional officers, raising the new recruitment target to 50,000 personnel. He also approved the temporary use of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as training centres to fast-track the process.
Tinubu said some police officers currently assigned to VIP escorts will be withdrawn, retrained and redeployed to areas battling insecurity.
“This is a national emergency. The police and the army now have the authority to recruit more personnel. The police will take in an additional 20,000 officers. NYSC camps can be used as training depots,” his statement read.
He further directed the Department of State Services (DSS) to deploy forest guards and recruit more operatives to flush out bandits and terrorists occupying forests across the country.
Tinubu praised security forces for recent rescue missions, including the release of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 worshippers abducted in Kwara State. He vowed that ongoing efforts to free students kidnapped in Niger State would continue.
The president urged the National Assembly to review existing laws to enable states to establish their own police services where necessary. He also advised communities, religious centres, and local authorities to strengthen security arrangements.
Tinubu highlighted the Federal Government’s new livestock policy, insisting that herders must embrace ranching, end open grazing and surrender illegal weapons to prevent further clashes with farmers.
“Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony,” he said.
The president called on citizens to report suspicious activities, support security forces, and resist fear.
