‎Tinubu declares nationwide security emergency, orders massive recruitment into military, police

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, declared a nationwide security emergency in response to rising threats across the country and ordered an immediate expansion of Nigeria’s security personnel.
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‎In a statement issued from the State House, the President said the emerging security situation required urgent action, directing both the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force to embark on additional recruitment exercises. Under the new directive, the police are authorised to recruit 20,000 more officers, raising the total intake to 50,000.
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‎President Tinubu also approved the use of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as temporary training depots to fast-track the training of new police recruits.
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‎He added that police personnel recently withdrawn from VIP protection duties must undergo crash retraining before being redeployed to high-risk areas.
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‎The Department of State Services (DSS) was further instructed to immediately deploy its already-trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits hiding in forests across the country.
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‎The agency was also authorised to recruit additional personnel to strengthen forest security operations.
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‎Calling the situation a “national emergency,” the President said the government would be deploying more security operatives to vulnerable communities and conflict-prone regions. “The times require all hands on deck. As Nigerians, we should all get involved in securing our nation,” he said.
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‎Tinubu commended the country’s security agencies for their coordination in securing the recent release of 24 abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 worshippers kidnapped in Kwara State.
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‎He assured that ongoing efforts would continue until the remaining abducted students of the Catholic School in Niger State and other captives are rescued.
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‎To the Armed Forces, the President delivered a stern charge to remain resolute, uphold strict discipline, and operate with integrity across all theatres. He vowed that the administration would provide the necessary support to ensure success, adding that there must be “no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence.”
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‎He also pledged federal support to state governments operating local security outfits and urged the National Assembly to begin reviewing laws that would allow states interested in establishing state police to do so.
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‎The President advised state governments to reconsider siting boarding schools in remote or unsecured areas, while urging religious centres to maintain close security collaboration, especially in vulnerable regions.
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‎Tinubu restated that the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development was designed to address herder–farmer clashes. He called on herder associations to embrace ranching, end open grazing, and surrender illegal weapons, assuring that the Federal Government would collaborate with states to end the crisis permanently.
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‎The President expressed sympathy to families affected by recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States, and paid tribute to military personnel who lost their lives, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.
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‎“Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness,” Tinubu said. “This administration has the courage and determination to keep the country safe and ensure our citizens live in peace.”
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