President Bola Tinubu yesterday declared a national security emergency, vowing to crush terrorism, banditry, and violent crimes across Nigeria.
In a bold move, the President ordered urgent recruitment into the Armed Forces and Nigerian Police, with an extra 20,000 officers to join the force, raising the total planned increase to 50,000. NYSC camps will now serve as additional police training depots, while VIP protection officers will be redeployed to troubled areas after retraining.
The DSS has been directed to deploy all trained forest guards and recruit more to flush out criminals from forests nationwide. Tinubu praised recent rescue operations, including 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 worshippers in Kwara, promising relentless efforts to free remaining hostages.
The President pledged full federal support for state security outfits and urged the National Assembly to allow willing states to establish state police. He also warned states to reconsider boarding schools in insecure areas and urged religious centres to maintain constant protection.
On farmer-herder clashes, Tinubu called for an end to open grazing and illegal arms, urging herders to embrace ranching under the new Ministry of Livestock.
Paying tribute to fallen heroes, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba, he sympathised with victims’ families, warning criminals that the government’s restraint will not be mistaken for weakness.
He concluded with a call for unity and vigilance, stressing: “We are in this fight together, and together we shall win.”
