Tinubu Declares Nationwide Security Emergency, Orders Massive Recruitment of Security Forces

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency in response to the deteriorating security landscape across Nigeria, announcing urgent measures to bolster the Armed Forces and Nigeria Police Force (NPF) through extensive recruitment and training initiatives. The President has authorized the police to recruit an additional 20,000 officers, increasing this year’s recruitment total to 50,000 personnel, complemented by a similar reinforcement in the military ranks.

The President emphasized the use of various National Youth Service Corps camps as training centers for new recruits, supplementing already approved upgrades to police training facilities nationwide. Officers withdrawn from VIP protection duties are mandated to undergo intensive retraining to ensure their redeployment to critical security-challenged regions is effective and efficient. Moreover, the Department of State Services (DSS) has been ordered to deploy all trained forest guards and recruit more personnel specifically for operations targeting terrorists and bandits hiding in forested zones.

In his address, Tinubu commended the security agencies for their recent successes, including the rescue of abducted schoolchildren and worshippers, while urging ongoing efforts to secure remaining hostages. The President reiterated his firm stance on maintaining discipline and integrity within the Armed Forces and called on the National Assembly to facilitate the establishment of state police to enhance localized security efforts.

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He also encouraged states to reconsider locating boarding schools in vulnerable remote areas and urged places of worship to seek adequate police protection during gatherings. Highlighting the creation of the Livestock Ministry, he called on herders to embrace ranching, cease open grazing, and surrender illegal arms to reduce recurrent farmer-herder conflicts.

This declaration follows growing concerns over multiple attacks in states including Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara, and includes a solemn tribute to fallen heroes such as Brigadier-General Musa Uba who sacrificed their lives in safeguarding the nation. President Tinubu closed his statement with a call for national unity, vigilance, and cooperation with security agencies in defending Nigeria’s peace and stability ​.