President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency, directing the Nigerian Police and the Armed Forces to recruit additional personnel to confront rising insecurity across the country.
This was contained in a statement issued from the State House on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the President ordered the police to recruit 20,000 new officers, bringing the total planned intake to 50,000.
He also authorised the use of National Youth Service Corps camps as temporary training facilities for the recruits, warning criminals that restraint should not be mistaken for weakness and vowing decisive action.
Tinubu called for national unity, vigilance, and cooperation with security agencies, stressing that “we are in this fight together, and together we shall win.”
He ordered the Department of State Services, DSS, to immediately deploy all the forest guards already trained to flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in the nation’s forests.
He added that the agency has his directive to recruit more men to man the forests, stressing that there would be no more hiding places for agents of evil.
“Today, in view of the emerging security situation, I have decided to declare a nationwide security emergency and order additional recruitment into the Armed Forces.
“By this declaration, the police and the army are authorised to recruit more personnel. The police will recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total to 50,000.
“Although I had previously approved the nationwide upgrade of police training facilities, the police authorities are, by this statement, authorised to use various National Youth Service Corps camps as training depots.
“The officers being withdrawn from VIP guard duties should undergo crash training to debrief them and deliver more efficient police services when deployed to security-challenged areas of the country.
“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. As Nigerians, we should all get involved in securing our nation.
“Let me take this moment to commend our security agencies for working together to secure the release of the 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and the 38 worshippers in Kwara State. We will continue to sustain the efforts to rescue the remaining students of Catholic School in Niger State and other Nigerians still being held hostage.
To the leadership and rank and file of our Armed Forces, I commend your courage and your sacrifice. This is a challenging moment for our nation and for the military institution itself. 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 Nigerian people are counting on you, and this administration will provide the support you need to succeed,” the president said.
