Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency and approved the recruitment of additional personnel into the Nigerian Armed Forces and Police, following rising security threats across the country.
In a statement, President Tinubu announced that the police force will recruit 20,000 new officers, raising total personnel to 50,000. Training for the new recruits will be conducted using National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps, while officers withdrawn from VIP duties will undergo accelerated training to strengthen deployment in high-risk areas.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has also been instructed to deploy trained forest guards to target terrorists and bandits hiding in forested regions and has been granted authority to recruit additional personnel for these operations.
“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,” President Tinubu said.
He commended security agencies for recent successes, including the rescue of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 worshippers in Kwara State, and pledged continued efforts to free students still held hostage in Niger State and other affected areas.
