National Security Emergency: Tinubu Orders Massive Military and Police Recruitment, Backs State Police
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has escalated the federal government's response to rampant insecurity, formally declaring a nationwide security emergency and ordering a substantial increase in military and police personnel, according to a Statehouse Statement released today. The declaration mandates immediate action on security recruitment and legislative reform.
The President's order focusses on surging manpower into the field. The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Nigerian Army are authorised to recruit more personnel immediately.
Specifically, the NPF is directed to bring in an additional 20,000 officers, supplementing previous intakes to reach a total of 50,000 new recruits. To facilitate this massive training effort, police authorities are authorised to utilise various National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as temporary training depots.
Furthermore, officers withdrawn from VIP guard duties are required to undergo training before being redeployed to security-challenged areas of the country.
The Department of State Services (DSS) also received directives to immediately deploy all already-trained forest guards to combat terrorists and bandits lurking in forests, while simultaneously increasing its own recruitment drive.
President Tinubu called on the National Assembly to begin reviewing existing laws to permit states to establish State Police where required.
The Federal Government also committed to supporting state governments that have already set up their own security outfits to safeguard their people.
The statement also targeted the persistent conflicts between farmers and herders. The President urged all herder associations to leverage the newly created Livestock Ministry, to end open grazing, and to surrender illegal weapons. He definitively stated that ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony.
The administration issued strong warnings regarding civilian vulnerability, advising states to rethink the establishment of boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security. Similarly, mosques and churches are advised to constantly seek police and other security protection when gathering, especially in vulnerable areas.
President Tinubu acknowledged the recent successes of security agencies, commending them for the successful release of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 worshippers in Kwara State. He vowed to sustain efforts to rescue the remaining students of the Catholic School in Niger State and other hostages.
The President offered sympathies to families who lost loved ones in recent attacks across Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara, and paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba. He ended with a call for national vigilance and cooperation.
