CITIZENS COMPASS— President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday, announced a national security emergency and directed a massive recruitment of personnel into the Nigeria Police Force and Nigerian Army.
Tinubu gave the marching order In a statement he personally signed outlining new actions the government would take to respond to the rising insecurity across the country.
Among the major steps announced are:
– Fast-tracked additional recruitment into both the Armed Forces and the Police.
– A fresh intake of 20,000 police officers, raising the total planned number to 50,000.
– Permission for the Police to use NYSC camps as extra training centres.
– Withdrawal of officers assigned to VIP protection so they can be retrained quickly and deployed to high-risk areas.
-An order to the DSS to immediately deploy all trained forest guards and recruit more to clear terrorists and bandits from forests nationwide.
Commendation of the recent rescues of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 worshippers in Kwara, with a promise to keep working for the freedom of those still held hostage.
– Assurance of full federal cooperation with state-backed security outfits.
– A call to the National Assembly to amend laws so states that want state police can establish them.
– An appeal to states to reconsider running boarding schools in unsecured or remote areas, and for religious centres to seek constant security support.
– A renewed commitment to end the farmer-herder crisis through the new Ministry of Livestock, while urging herders to switch to ranching and give up illegal weapons.
– A tribute to fallen security officers, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba, and condolences to families affected by recent attacks.
– A warning to criminals, stressing that government patience must not be seen as weakness.
The President urged citizens to stand together, cooperate with security agencies, and stay alert, noting that “we are in this fight together, and together we shall win.”
Below is the full statement from President Tinubu:
“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.
“By this declaration, the police and the army are authorised to recruit more personnel. The police will recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total to 50,000.
“Although I had previously approved the nationwide upgrade of police training facilities, the police authorities are, by this statement, authorised to use various National Youth Service Corps camps as training depots.
“The officers being withdrawn from VIP guard duties should undergo crash training to debrief them and deliver more efficient police services when deployed to security-challenged areas of the country.
“The DSS also has my authority to immediately deploy all the forest guards already trained to flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in our forests. The agency also has my directive to recruit more men to man the forests. There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil.
“My fellow Nigerians, 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.
“Let me take this moment to commend our security agencies for working together to secure the release of the 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and the 38 worshippers in Kwara State. We will continue to sustain the efforts to rescue the remaining students of Catholic School in Niger State and other Nigerians still being held hostage.
“To the leadership and rank and file of our Armed Forces, I commend your courage and your sacrifice. This is a challenging moment for our nation and for the military institution itself. I charge you to remain resolute, to restore peace across all theatres of operation, and to uphold the highest standards of discipline and integrity. There must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence. The Nigerian people are counting on you, and this administration will provide the support you need to succeed.
In addition, our administration will support state governments which have set up security outfits to safeguard their people from the terrorists bent on disrupting our national peace.
“I call on the National Assembly to begin reviewing our laws to allow states that require state police to establish them.
“States should rethink establishing boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security. Mosques and churches should constantly seek police and other security protection when they gather for prayers, especially in vulnerable areas.
“Our administration created the Livestock Ministry to address the persistent clashes between herders and farmers. I call on all herder associations to take advantage of it, end open grazing and surrender illegal weapons. Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony. The Federal Government, in collaboration with the states, will work with you to solve this problem, once and for all.
“I sympathise with the families who have lost their loved ones in recent attacks on soft targets in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States. I also pay tribute to our brave soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.”
