Tinubu Declares Nationwide Security Emergency, Orders Recruitment of 50,000 Additional Security Personnel
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency and approved a major recruitment drive aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security forces in response to rising insecurity across the country.
In a statement issued from the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, the President authorised the police and the army to commence an expanded recruitment exercise. The police are expected to recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing total new intakes across the forces to 50,000.
Tinubu also approved the use of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as training depots for police personnel, while directing the withdrawal of officers from VIP guard duties for immediate retraining and redeployment to security-challenged areas.
The President disclosed that the Department of State Services (DSS) has been mandated to deploy forest guards already trained to track terrorists and bandits hiding in Nigeria’s forests. He further instructed the agency to recruit more personnel to reinforce operations in remote areas.
Describing the situation as a “national emergency,” Tinubu said the federal government is intensifying boots-on-the-ground deployment to restore peace, especially in states recently hit by attacks. He commended the joint security efforts that led to the rescue of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 worshippers in Kwara, while noting that other abducted Nigerians remain in captivity.
The President paid tribute to security operatives who lost their lives in recent attacks, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba, and extended condolences to families affected by violence in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States.
Tinubu also urged the National Assembly to review laws enabling states to establish their own police forces and called for stricter protection of schools, mosques, and churches in vulnerable areas.
Highlighting ongoing efforts to resolve herder-farmer conflicts, the President reiterated that ranching remains the sustainable path for livestock management and appealed to herder associations to end open grazing and surrender illegal weapons.
He encouraged Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant, and united, stressing that the administration’s goal is to guarantee peaceful coexistence and national stability.
“Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness,” Tinubu said.
“We are in this fight together, and together we shall win.”
