President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency and ordered a major expansion of Nigeria’s security forces to confront rising insecurity across the country.

In a statement from the State House, the president directed the Nigeria Police Force to recruit an additional 20,000 personnel — raising the total ongoing intake to 50,000 — and authorised both the police and the Nigerian Army to commence immediate recruitment drives. He further approved the use of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as temporary training facilities.

Tinubu said the security situation required “urgent and extraordinary action,” adding that officers withdrawn from VIP protection duties would undergo accelerated retraining before being deployed to volatile areas.

The president also empowered the Department of State Services (DSS) to deploy trained forest guards to dislodge bandits and terrorist groups hiding in Nigeria’s forests, and ordered the recruitment of more operatives to reinforce these units.

“This is a national emergency,” he said. “We are responding by placing more boots on the ground in security-challenged areas. The times require all hands on deck.”

Tinubu commended the security agencies for rescuing 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 abducted worshippers in Kwara State, while pledging sustained efforts to free students still held hostage in Niger State. He also paid tribute to military personnel killed in recent operations, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.

The president urged the National Assembly to expedite the review of laws that would enable states to establish their own police services, and advised local authorities, religious institutions and schools to strengthen their security arrangements.

He used the statement to restate the administration’s livestock reform agenda, calling on herders to end open grazing, surrender illegal weapons and embrace ranching under the newly created Livestock Ministry.

“Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony,” he said.

Tinubu urged citizens to remain calm but vigilant, report suspicious activities, and cooperate with security agencies, assuring Nigerians that the government remains committed to restoring peace nationwide.

“May God bless Nigeria and keep our armed forces safe,” he concluded.

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