President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency, sending a stern warning to terrorists and bandits not to misinterpret the government’s “restraint for weakness.
This is even as he ordered immediate military operations to flush out armed groups from Nigeria’s forest reserves.
In a national address from the State House, the President also announced sweeping security measures, including massive recruitment into security agencies and the immediate deployment of trained forest guards to combat worsening insecurity across the country.
“Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness. This administration has the courage and determination to keep the country safe and ensure our citizens live in peace”, the President declared.
President Tinubu’s announcement comes amid escalating attacks on communities, schools, and places of worship, particularly in northern states. Recent mass abductions in states like Niger, Kebbi, and Kaduna have heightened national security concerns.
Under the new security emergency, the Nigeria Police Force has been authorised to recruit 50,000 new officers, while the military will also undergo significant expansion.
The President revealed that police training facilities would utilize various National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as temporary training depots to accommodate the surge in recruits.
In one of his most direct commands, President Tinubu 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 our forests.”
“There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” the President emphasised.
Spear News reports that the President on Sunday announced the withdrawal of police officers from VIP protection duties. These officers will undergo “crash training” before being redeployed to frontline operations in security-challenged areas.
“The officers being withdrawn from VIP guard duties should undergo crash training to debrief them and deliver more efficient police services when deployed to security-challenged areas of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,” the President stated.
In a major policy direction, President Tinubu revealed he has initiated the process for constitutional amendment to allow state police, responding to longstanding demands for decentralised policing.
“I call on the National Assembly to begin reviewing our laws to allow states that require state police to establish them,” the President said.
The announcement marks the most explicit presidential endorsement of state police in Nigeria’s recent history and could fundamentally reshape the country’s security architecture.
The President also addressed the persistent farmer-herder conflicts, urging herder associations to embrace ranching and surrender illegal weapons.
“The Federal Government, in collaboration with the states, will work with you to solve this problem, once and for all,” he said, highlighting the role of the newly created Ministry of Livestock in implementing the administration’s ranching initiative.
President Tinubu paid solemn tribute to security personnel who have died in service, specifically mentioning Brigadier-General Musa Uba, and expressed sympathy to families affected by recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States.
While commending the security agencies for recent successes in rescuing kidnap victims, including schoolchildren in Kebbi and worshippers in Kwara, the President maintained a firm tone toward the military leadership.
“I charge you to remain resolute, to restore peace across all theatres of operation, and to uphold the highest standards of discipline and integrity,” he said. “There must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence.”
The President concluded with a rallying call to citizens, urging vigilance and cooperation with security agencies.
“Fellow Compatriots, I urge you not to give in to fear and never succumb to despair,” he said. “Let’s stand together in purpose and strength to defend our freedom and values.”
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