President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency and directed the immediate recruitment of 20,000 additional police officers to strengthen ongoing operations against insecurity across the country.
The directive, issued in a statement from the State House, increases the government’s planned police intake to 50,000 personnel.
Tinubu also authorised fresh recruitment into the Armed Forces to reinforce deployments in violence-prone areas.
According to the statement, National Youth Service Corps camps have been approved for use as temporary training centres pending the completion of upgrades at police training facilities.
Officers withdrawn from VIP security duties are to undergo accelerated retraining before redeployment.
The president also empowered the Department of State Services to deploy trained forest guards to target terrorists and bandits occupying forested regions.
Additional personnel are to be recruited to expand the operation.
Tinubu described the situation as a national emergency requiring coordinated action and urged Nigerians to support security agencies.
The president commended security operatives for the rescue of 24 abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 worshippers in Kwara State, while pledging sustained efforts to free students still held in Niger State.
He also paid tribute to military personnel killed in recent operations, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.
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Tinubu called on the National Assembly to review relevant laws to enable states to establish state police where required.
He further advised state governments, religious institutions, and local authorities to strengthen security around schools, mosques, churches, and other vulnerable locations.
The president reiterated the Federal Government’s livestock reform policy and urged herders to embrace ranching, end open grazing, and surrender illegal weapons.
Tinubu assured citizens that the government remains committed to restoring peace and stability nationwide and encouraged the public to report suspicious activities and cooperate with security agencies.