Abuja – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, announced on Wednesday a nationwide security emergency and authorized an immediate expansion of the armed forces and police to confront escalating kidnappings, banditry and terrorist attacks across the country. In a State House statement, the President ordered the recruitment of an additional 20,000 police officers, raising the total police strength to 50,000. He also directed the army to increase its personnel numbers, though specific figures were not disclosed.
The President instructed that police training facilities be upgraded and that National Youth Service Corps camps be used as temporary training depots. Officers currently assigned to VIP protection duties are to undergo “crash training” to prepare them for deployment to security‑challenged areas. The Department of State Services (DSS) has been given authority to deploy trained forest guards and to recruit more personnel to patrol forested zones where terrorists and bandits operate.
President Tinubu praised recent successes, saying, “We commend our security agencies for working together to secure the release of the 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and the 38 worshippers in Kwara State.” He added that efforts will continue to rescue the remaining students of the Catholic School in Niger State and other Nigerians still being held hostage.
Addressing the nation, the President said, “There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil. 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.” He called on the National Assembly to review legislation to allow states to establish their own police forces and urged state governments to reconsider the location of boarding schools in remote, insecure areas.
He also appealed to herders, stating, “I call on all herder associations to take advantage of the newly created Livestock Ministry, end open grazing and surrender illegal weapons. Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony.” The President reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting state‑level security outfits and to the Livestock Ministry’s goal of positioning the sector as the nation’s second‑largest revenue earner after oil and gas.
Tinubu expressed sympathy to families who have lost loved ones in recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe and Kwara states, and paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including Brigadier‑General Musa Uba. “Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness,” he warned.
Concluding his address, the President urged Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative with security agencies, saying, “We are in this fight together, and together we shall win. May God continue to bless Nigeria and keep our armed forces safe.” The declaration was made on November 26, 2025.
