President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced sweeping security measures, declaring a national security emergency and authorising an immediate expansion of Nigeria’s military and police workforce.
In a statement personally signed on Wednesday, the President said the escalating wave of kidnappings, banditry and terrorist attacks has made urgent action unavoidable.
According to him, the police will enlist an additional 20,000 officers—bringing total new recruitment to 50,000—while the military is cleared to take in more personnel across its formations.
Tinubu revealed that upgraded police training facilities nationwide are now fully activated, adding that selected NYSC camps will serve as temporary training centres for the new intakes.
He directed that officers recently withdrawn from VIP protection duties must undergo accelerated retraining before redeployment to high-risk areas.
The President further authorised the Department of State Services to deploy all trained forest guards to dismantle criminal hideouts and to begin fresh recruitment targeted at securing Nigeria’s forest belts.
Describing the situation as an “all-hands-on-deck moment,” he stressed that citizens must actively support the security forces by reporting suspicious movements and cooperating with ongoing operations.
Tinubu praised the armed forces, police and intelligence agencies for their recent coordinated operations that secured the release of 24 kidnapped schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 abducted worshippers in Kwara State.
He assured Nigerians that efforts to free the remaining abducted students in Niger State and other victims are ongoing and will not be slowed.
The President charged security personnel to maintain discipline, avoid compromise and demonstrate professionalism as they take on renewed responsibilities under the emergency framework.
He also pledged federal backing for state-level security outfits established to protect residents from bandit attacks and other violent crimes.
On legislative reforms, Tinubu urged the National Assembly to commence work on laws that would enable willing states to establish their own police services.
He advised state governments to reassess the location of boarding schools in isolated areas without adequate protection, while religious centres in vulnerable communities were encouraged to seek regular security support.
Tinubu reiterated that the recently created Ministry of Livestock Development is intended to provide lasting solutions to herder-farmer clashes.
He urged pastoralist groups to embrace ranching, abandon open grazing and surrender illegal arms, insisting that modern livestock management is now the only viable path to national peace.
“The Federal Government, together with the states, will work with you to end this crisis once and for all,” he said.
