Tinubu declares national security emergency, orders army, police to recruit more personnel

President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency and directed a large-scale recruitment of security personnel to tackle worsening insecurity across the country.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the president authorised the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army to increase their manpower significantly. According to him, the police will recruit an additional 20,000 officers, raising the ongoing recruitment figure to 50,000.

Tinubu also announced that police authorities have been cleared to convert selected National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps into training centres. This, he said, will complement the upgraded police training facilities earlier approved by his administration.

He further ordered that officers withdrawn from VIP protection duties undergo immediate crash training before redeployment to high-risk areas.

The president also empowered the Department of State Services (DSS) to deploy all its trained forest guards to combat terrorists and bandits hiding in the nation’s forests. He instructed the agency to recruit more personnel to strengthen its forest operations.

“This is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas,” Tinubu said. He urged citizens to support the government in ensuring peace and security.

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While commending the security agencies for securing the release of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 worshippers in Kwara State, the president promised continued efforts to rescue remaining abducted students in Niger State and others still held captive.

“To the leadership and rank and file of our Armed Forces, I commend your courage and sacrifice. This is a challenging moment for our nation and for the military institution itself,” he added.