President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency, unveiling sweeping measures aimed at confronting the escalating wave of terrorism, banditry and mass abductions across the country. In a national address issued from Aso Rock Villa, the President authorised an immediate expansion of Nigeria’s security architecture, including major new recruitment drives across the army, police and Department of State Services (DSS).

Under the new directive, the Nigeria Police Force is to recruit an additional 20,000 officers, raising the ongoing recruitment figure to 50,000 personnel. To accelerate deployment, the President approved the use of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as temporary police training depots. He further ordered that officers withdrawn from VIP protection duties undergo accelerated retraining before being redeployed to volatile regions.

President Tinubu also empowered the DSS to immediately deploy all trained forest guards to comb and secure Nigeria’s vast forests where armed groups have operated with little resistance. The agency has been authorised to “recruit more men to man the forests,” with the President declaring that there would be “no more hiding places for agents of evil.”

Describing the situation as a national emergency, Tinubu said the federal government was responding by “deploying more boots on the ground” particularly in states facing acute security threats. He urged citizens to play a role by reporting suspicious activity and supporting security operations.

The President commended security agencies for the successful rescue of the 24 schoolgirls abducted in Kebbi State and the 38 worshippers kidnapped in Kwara State, noting that efforts continue to free remaining hostages, including students kidnapped in Niger State. He praised the military for its resilience, urging troops to remain disciplined, focused and uncompromising. “There must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence,” he said.

Tinubu also signalled readiness to support state-backed security outfits and called on the National Assembly to begin legislative work that would allow states requesting state police to formally establish them. He urged state governments to reconsider locating boarding schools in remote, unsecured areas and advised religious centres in vulnerable regions to maintain close coordination with security agencies.

As part of broader peace-building efforts, the President reiterated the purpose of the newly established Livestock Ministry, urging herders to embrace ranching, abandon open grazing and surrender illegal weapons. He vowed federal-state cooperation to decisively address the herder–farmer conflict that has fuelled instability for years.

Tinubu expressed sympathy to families of victims killed in recent attacks across Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe and Kwara States, and paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba, who he said gave their lives for national peace. He warned that those attempting to test the government’s resolve “should never mistake our restraint for weakness.”

Calling for national unity and vigilance, the President urged Nigerians not to succumb to fear. “Let’s stand together to defend our freedom and values,” he said, assuring that his administration will continue to safeguard the nation’s peace and preserve its unity.