President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, has declared a nationwide security emergency on Wednesday, authorizing the immediate recruitment of 50,000 new police officers and additional military personnel in response to escalating violence.
The announcement follows recent attacks across multiple states and comes as security forces continue operations to rescue abducted students and civilians.
“Today, in view of the emerging security situation, I have decided to declare a nationwide security emergency,” Tinubu stated.
“We are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas.”
The emergency measures include using National Youth Service Corps camps as temporary police training facilities and redeploying officers previously assigned to VIP protection duties.
The Department of State Services received authorization to deploy trained forest guards and recruit additional personnel to secure vulnerable wooded areas.
“There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” the President declared.
Tinubu commended security agencies for recent successful rescues in Kebbi and Kwara States while acknowledging ongoing efforts to free remaining hostages, including students from a Catholic school in Niger State.
The President called on the National Assembly to review laws to allow states to establish their own police forces and advised against operating boarding schools in remote, insecure locations.
He also urged religious institutions to seek security protection during worship services.
Addressing farmer-herder conflicts, Tinubu emphasized that “ranching is now the path forward” and called on herders to end open grazing and surrender illegal weapons.
The President paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba, and families of recent attack victims.
“Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness,” he warned.
Tinubu urged national unity and public vigilance, concluding: “We are in this fight together, and together we shall win.”
