President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency in response to the growing wave of terrorism, banditry and attacks on soft targets across the country.
The President also ordered an immediate expansion of the nation’s security manpower, authorising the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force to commence large-scale recruitment exercises.
In a State House statement personally signed by him, President Tinubu said the fresh measures are necessary to stabilise the nation and restore peace in all troubled areas.
Under the directive, the Nigeria Police Force has been authorised to recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing its ongoing recruitment figure to 50,000 personnel. The President also approved an emergency measure allowing the police to use National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as temporary training depots to speed up training and deployment.
He further directed that police officers withdrawn from VIP protection duties should undergo crash retraining and be redeployed to frontline operations.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has also been instructed to deploy all trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits hiding in the nation’s forests. The agency has additionally been granted approval to recruit more personnel to secure forested regions across the country.
“This is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground,” the President said. “The times require all hands on deck. As Nigerians, we should all get involved in securing our nation.”
President Tinubu commended security agencies for the successful rescue of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 abducted worshippers in Kwara State, assuring that ongoing efforts to free other kidnapped victims—including students of the Catholic School in Niger State—will be intensified.
He praised the courage and sacrifice of the military, saluting fallen heroes, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba, who recently died in active service. He urged the Armed Forces to remain resolute and uphold the highest standards of discipline and integrity.
“There must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence. The Nigerian people are counting on you,” he said.
The President also urged state governments already operating local security outfits to scale up their efforts, pledging federal support. He called on the National Assembly to begin reviewing relevant laws to enable states that desire it to establish state police.
Addressing root causes of insecurity, the President reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ending farmer–herder conflicts, urging all herder associations to embrace ranching, utilise the newly created Livestock Ministry, and surrender illegal weapons.
President Tinubu expressed deep sympathy to families affected by recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe and Kwara States, stressing that the administration will not allow violent actors to test the nation’s resolve.
“Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness,” he said.
The President called on religious institutions—mosques and churches—to seek security support when organising gatherings, especially in vulnerable areas, and advised states to avoid establishing boarding schools in remote locations without adequate security.
In a rallying message to citizens, President Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant, and united.
“Fellow compatriots, I urge you not to give in to fear and never succumb to despair,” he said. “Report suspicious activities. Cooperate with security agencies. We are in this fight together, and together we shall win.”
The President concluded his address by praying for the protection of Nigeria and its Armed Forces.
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