President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a sweeping security overhaul as he declared a nationwide security emergency and authorised fresh recruitment across key security institutions.
In a statement personally signed by the president on Wednesday , Tinubu said the move had become necessary “in view of the emerging security situation,” adding that he had now ordered “additional recruitment into the Armed Forces.”
Under the directive, the Nigeria Police Force is immediately cleared to enlist 20,000 new officers—raising its current recruitment total to 50,000. Tinubu also gave the police permission to convert National Youth Service Corps camps into temporary training centres, following earlier approval to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.
The President further ordered that officers withdrawn from VIP security duties must “undergo crash training to debrief them and deliver more efficient police services when deployed to security-challenged areas of the country.”
The State Security Service also received sweeping instructions. Tinubu authorised the immediate deployment of already-trained forest guards to chase down terrorists and bandits who have taken refuge in remote forests. He added that the agency had his “directive to recruit more men to man the forests. There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil.”
Calling the moment a defining test of national resolve, Tinubu declared: “My fellow Nigerians, this is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas. The times require all hands on deck.”
The President hailed recent coordinated security operations that secured the release of kidnapped victims in Kebbi and Kwara States. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to finding the remaining abducted Catholic school students in Niger State, along with others still in captivity.
Addressing the military directly, Tinubu offered praise and a challenge:
“I commend your courage and your sacrifice… I charge you to remain resolute, to restore peace across all theatres of operation, and to uphold the highest standards of discipline and integrity. There must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence.”
The President also extended support to state-level security outfits and urged the National Assembly to begin working on legal reforms that would allow states seeking state police to formally establish them.
He cautioned state governments against situating boarding schools in isolated areas without adequate protection and encouraged religious institutions in vulnerable communities to seek consistent security coverage.
Turning to one of the country’s longstanding flashpoints, Tinubu called on herders to support the Federal Government’s new Livestock Ministry. According to him, the ministry was created to “address the persistent clashes between herders and farmers.” He appealed to herder associations to embrace ranching, end open grazing, and surrender illegal weapons, saying ranching “is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony.”
The President also took a somber moment to mourn victims of recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States, while honouring the fallen soldiers who died in the line of duty—including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.
Issuing a stern warning to those stoking insecurity, he said: “Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness.”
Tinubu closed his address with a rallying call for unity and vigilance:
“Fellow Compatriots, I urge you not to give in to fear and never succumb to despair… Report suspicious activities. Cooperate with security agencies. We are in this fight together, and together we shall win.”
He ended with a prayer: “May God continue to bless Nigeria and keep our armed forces safe.”
