Tinubu Declares Nationwide Security Emergency, Orders Surge in Police & Army Recruitment
In response to escalating insecurity across Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency. In a statement issued Wednesday, he directed that additional personnel be recruited into both the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and the Armed Forces, signaling a major escalation in government efforts to restore safety.
As part of the emergency measures, the police force has been mandated to enlist an additional 20,000 officers, raising the total new intake to 50,000. The President also approved the temporary use of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as training depots to fast-track the onboarding of recruits while permanent police training facilities are being upgraded. Furthermore, officers currently assigned to VIP protection duties will undergo crash retraining before redeployment to volatile regions. The directive includes activating forest-patrol units: the Department of State Services (DSS) is authorized to immediately deploy already-trained forest guards — and recruit more personnel — to flush out terrorists and bandits hiding in forested areas nationwide.
In his address, Tinubu urged all Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with security agencies. He condemned recent attacks and abductions, offering sympathies to victims and pledging sustained government action to secure every citizen.
