President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency in response to the escalating security challenges across the country, directing the Armed Forces, Police, and Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately strengthen manpower and intensify operations against terrorists, bandits, and other violent groups.

The President made the declaration on Wednesday, announcing sweeping measures aimed at restoring stability, enhancing security response capacity, and reclaiming troubled communities.

Under the emergency directive, the Nigeria Police Force has been authorised to recruit an additional 20,000 officers—raising the earlier approved intake to 50,000. In order to fast-track training, the President has approved the use of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps nationwide as temporary training depots, complementing ongoing upgrades of police training institutions.

He also ordered that police personnel withdrawn from VIP protection duties be immediately enrolled in crash re-training programmes before being deployed to high-risk areas. This, he said, will help improve frontline policing and free up more officers for operational duties.

The Nigerian Army will also embark on fresh recruitment to increase its strength, while the DSS has been directed to deploy all trained forest guards to sweep through forested areas where terrorists and bandits operate. The intelligence agency has also received approval to recruit additional personnel to reinforce these efforts.

“There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” President Tinubu declared, urging citizens to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies, and reject fear despite the challenging atmosphere.

The President commended the collaborative efforts of security agencies that led to the recent rescue of 24 abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 worshippers in Kwara State. He assured the nation of ongoing operations to free the remaining abducted students of a Catholic school in Niger State, as well as others still in captivity across the country.

Addressing the Armed Forces directly, Tinubu charged commanders and troops to remain steadfast, disciplined, and uncompromising in their mission to restore peace. He paid tribute to fallen military heroes, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba, who was recently killed in an operation.

“This is a challenging moment for our nation and for the military institution itself,” he said. “There must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence. The Nigerian people are counting on you.”

The President also appealed to state governments to strengthen local security arrangements. He called on the National Assembly to commence legislative work on frameworks that will allow states seeking to establish state police to legally do so.

In the wake of repeated attacks on rural communities, he advised states to reconsider siting boarding schools in isolated areas without adequate security presence. He also urged churches and mosques—particularly in vulnerable regions—to seek police protection during major gatherings.

Touching on the persistent herder–farmer conflict, the President reaffirmed that ranching remains the long-term solution. He urged herders to embrace the newly created Livestock Ministry’s programmes, end open grazing, and surrender illegal firearms, stating that the government is ready to work with states to end the crisis “once and for all.”

Tinubu extended condolences to families affected by recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States, and vowed that the killers would be brought to justice. He cautioned violent groups not to mistake the government’s restraint for weakness, stressing that his administration possesses the resolve and capacity to restore order.

Calling for unity and resilience, the President urged Nigerians to remain calm and report suspicious activities to security agencies.

“We are in this fight together, and together we shall win,” he said.

The nationwide security emergency takes immediate effect.