President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency, directing the armed forces and police to recruit additional personnel in a sweeping effort to bolster Nigeria’s security architecture.
In the official statement, Tinubu said the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is to recruit an extra 20,000 officers, increasing the total new intake under his administration to 50,000.
Further, the government authorised the utilisation of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as additional training depots. The move is aimed at fast-tracking training and deployment in response to mounting security threats.
As part of the emergency measures, officers withdrawn from VIP-protection duties are to undergo “crash training” before being redeployed to frontline security operations across vulnerable and underserved regions.
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The directive also empowers the Department of State Services (DSS) to deploy already-trained forest guards and recruit additional personnel to flush out terrorists and bandits hiding in forests. Tinubu warned that “there will be no more hiding places for agents of evil.”
Tinubu’s declaration comes against the backdrop of escalating attacks, including kidnappings, banditry, and group-based violence across several states, concerns that have deeply unsettled communities and drawn urgent calls for strengthened security.
Acknowledging the strain on existing security infrastructure, the President lamented that many rural and remote areas have been left with skeletal police presence, making effective response to crimes difficult. The recruitment and redeployment plan, he said, aims to ensure that security agencies are present and active where they are most needed.
The government also emphasised cooperation from citizens, urging everyone to stay vigilant, report suspicious activities, and support security agencies. Tinubu appealed for the people’s unity, stressing that “all hands must be on deck” to secure the nation.
As Nigeria braces for increased security operations, the effectiveness of the large-scale recruitment, combined with improved training and better deployment, will likely be closely watched by citizens, analysts, and international observers alike.
