President announces expanded security operations, activation of forest guards, and a ban on VIP police escorts as Nigeria battles rising terror attacks.President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency in response to the rising wave of attacks by bandits, terrorists and other violent groups across the country.
In a statement personally issued on Sunday, the President directed an immediate expansion of recruitment into the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force, alongside a full activation of forest security operations.
“Today, in view of the emerging security situation, I have decided to declare a nationwide security emergency and order additional recruitment into the Armed Forces,” he announced.
According to Tinubu, the police have been authorised to recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total number of new operatives to 50,000. He also approved the use of NYSC camps as temporary training grounds, noting that the urgency of the situation requires rapid capacity expansion.
The President further ordered that officers withdrawn from VIP escort duties should undergo crash retraining before deployment to security-challenged communities. “This is to debrief them and ensure more efficient police service across the country,” he added.
Tinubu also empowered the Department of State Services (DSS) to fully activate its forest-guard architecture.
“The DSS has my authority to deploy all trained forest guards to flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in our forests,” he said, adding that more personnel would be recruited.
Calling the situation a “national emergency,” the President pledged more boots on the ground and urged citizens to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities.
He commended recent rescue operations, including the recovery of abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 worshippers in Kwara, assuring that efforts to free the remaining Catholic school students kidnapped in Niger State were ongoing.
To military personnel, Tinubu issued a stern charge:
“I commend your courage… There must be no compromise, no collusion and no negligence.”
He promised full federal support for states operating local security outfits and urged the National Assembly to begin legislative processes that could pave the way for state policing.
Tinubu also warned governors against operating boarding schools in remote, unprotected areas and advised religious institutions to seek police presence during gatherings.
Reiterating his administration’s stance on farmer-herder clashes, the President urged herders to embrace ranching and take advantage of the newly-created Ministry of Livestock Development, insisting that “open grazing must end.”
The President expressed condolences to families of victims in Kebbi, Zamfara, Borno, Niger, Yobe and Kwara, and paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including Brig.-Gen. Musa Uba.
“Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness,” he warned, calling on Nigerians to remain united and vigilant.
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