President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a national security emergency following a sudden rise in violent attacks across several states.
The move, announced on Wednesday, came as many Nigerians continued to express worry over the growing wave of kidnappings and deadly raids.
The declaration was unexpected and has already triggered sweeping changes across the nation’s security architecture.
In a strong statement personally issued by the President, he said, “Today, in view of the emerging security situation, I have decided to declare a nationwide security emergency and order additional recruitment into the Armed Forces.”
Moreover, Tinubu approved major expansion plans for the Armed Forces and Police.
He revealed that the police had been cleared to increase their workforce significantly.
“The police will recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total to 50,000,” he stated.
This new wave of recruitment is expected to strengthen security presence in vulnerable areas across the country.
Furthermore, the President directed that the police could begin using NYSC camps as training grounds.
He noted that the current security challenges required faster training and wider manpower capacity.
Officers withdrawn from VIP protection roles will also undergo rushed retraining, which he said was needed to “deliver more efficient police services when deployed to security-challenged areas.”
Meanwhile, Tinubu granted the DSS full authority to activate the forest security system.
He said, “The DSS also has my authority to immediately deploy all the forest guards already trained to flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in our forests.”
He also approved more recruitment for the agency, stressing that “There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil.”
In addition, Tinubu praised security agencies for recent breakthroughs, especially the rescue of schoolgirls in Kebbi and the 38 abducted worshippers in Kwara.
He promised that ongoing operations to free missing students in Niger State would not slow down.
“We will continue to sustain the efforts to rescue the remaining students… and other Nigerians still being held hostage,” he assured.
The President also issued a firm message to troops, urging discipline and courage. “I commend your courage and your sacrifice… I charge you to remain resolute… There must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence,” he declared.
He emphasized that the government would provide full support to ensure victory in all theatres of operation.
Tinubu further appealed for stronger community cooperation. “The times require all hands on deck.
As Nigerians, we should all get involved in securing our nation,” he said.
He encouraged citizens to report suspicious activity and remain vigilant.
In addition, he advised state governments to avoid running boarding schools in unsafe and remote areas.
Religious leaders were urged to seek regular security support for gatherings, especially in high-risk regions.
The President also addressed the farmer-herder crisis, reminding the country of the new Ministry of Livestock Development.
He urged herders to end open grazing and shift to ranching. “I call on all herder associations to take advantage of it, end open grazing and surrender illegal weapons. Ranching is now the path forward,” he said.
Tinubu expressed sympathy to families in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe and Kwara who recently lost loved ones.
He also honoured fallen soldiers, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba, who died in service.
He ended with a bold warning, saying, “Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness.”
