President Bola Tinubu has announced a national security crisis and mandated increased recruitment into the military to bolster ongoing security operations nationwide.
In an announcement from Abuja, the President stated that the Nigeria Police Force will immediately enlist an additional 20,000 officers, raising the current intake to 50,000.
“With this declaration, both the police and the military have the authority to enlist more individuals,” he stated. “The police will bring in an extra 20,000 personnel, making a total of 50,000.”
Tinubu approved the temporary use of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as police training centers, pending upgrades to existing police training facilities. He also directed that officers previously assigned to protect VIPs undergo accelerated retraining before being deployed to areas facing significant security challenges.
The President also granted the State Security Service (SSS) permission to deploy trained forest rangers to eliminate terrorists and bandits, and to initiate further recruitment to safeguard forested regions.
“My fellow citizens, we face a national crisis, and we are responding by deploying more personnel, especially in areas with serious security concerns,” he declared.
Tinubu commended the security forces for securing the release of 24 abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 worshippers in Kwara, promising continued efforts to rescue remaining hostages in Niger and other states.
The President urged the Armed Forces to remain steadfast and disciplined, guaranteeing the government’s full support. He also voiced his support for state-level security organizations and asked the National Assembly to revise existing laws to enable states desiring their own police forces to establish them.
Tinubu advised states to avoid locating boarding schools in isolated areas without adequate security and urged religious institutions in vulnerable communities to seek enhanced protection.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to resolving conflicts between herders and farmers, urging herder associations to embrace ranching, cease open grazing, and surrender illegal weapons.
The President expressed his condolences to the families of victims of recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara, and paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including Brig.-Gen. Musa Uba.
“Those who seek to test our resolve should not mistake our patience for weakness,” he warned.
Tinubu called on Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant, reporting any suspicious activity, and assured them that the nation would overcome its security challenges.
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