‘National Emergency’: Tinubu Declares Security State, Orders 50,000 Total Police Recruits
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Amid a severe escalation in mass kidnappings and general insecurity across the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday declared a “nationwide security emergency,” ordering a massive injection of personnel and operational resources into the security apparatus.
The declaration comes as Nigeria grapples with a surge of high-profile attacks, including the recent abductions of school children in Kebbi and Niger states, underscoring the severe operational challenges facing the nation's police and military.
Key Directives and New Recruits
In a statement from the State House, President Tinubu authorized the immediate reinforcement of both the police and the armed forces.
Total Police Recruitment: The President directed the police to recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total planned intake to 50,000 new recruits.
4 (This is in addition to the 30,000 officers approved over the weekend).Training Expansion: To fast-track the training process, the police authorities are now authorized to utilize various National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as temporary training depots.
5 VIP Guard Withdrawal: Officers currently attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) for guard duties will be withdrawn, undergo crash training, and be redeployed to security-challenged areas of the country.
6 Forest Security: The Department of State Services (DSS) has been directed to immediately deploy all trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits lurking in the forests, with further orders to recruit more personnel specifically for forest security.
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“My fellow Nigerians, this is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas.
8 The times require all hands on deck,” the President's statement read.
Call for State Policing and Commendation
In a significant move toward decentralizing security, President Tinubu also called on the National Assembly to begin reviewing existing laws to allow states that require it to establish their own police forces.
The President commended the security agencies for their recent successful operations, including the rescue of the 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 worshippers in Kwara State, charging them to remain resolute in their efforts to secure the remaining students held captive in Niger State.
Focus on Vulnerable Areas
The immediate operational focus of the security emergency is to increase police and military presence in vulnerable communities, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions where banditry and mass kidnappings have become rampant.
The President urged state governments to rethink the establishment of boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security and asked religious centers in vulnerable communities to seek stronger protection.
