President Tinubu's Urgent Call for State Police Reform
President Bola Tinubu has made a decisive move to address Nigeria's escalating security crisis by formally requesting the National Assembly to initiate a constitutional review that would permit states to establish their own police forces. This landmark appeal came through an official statement released on Wednesday, November 2025, where the President simultaneously declared a nationwide state of emergency on insecurity.
Wave of Violent Attacks Prompt Emergency Measures
The President's action follows a devastating series of security breaches across multiple states. In Niger State, 300 pupils and 15 teachers were abducted from St. Mary's School in Agwara local government area, creating one of the largest school kidnappings in recent memory. Simultaneously, Kebbi State witnessed student kidnappings while Kwara State saw church worshippers taken hostage by armed groups.
While some victims from Kwara and Kebbi states have since regained their freedom, the situation remains critical for the 315 students and teachers from St. Mary's School who remain in captivity. These incidents highlight the urgent need for enhanced security measures across the country.
Comprehensive Security Overhaul Announced
President Tinubu outlined a multi-faceted approach to combat the security challenges. His statement specifically emphasized: "I call on the National Assembly to begin reviewing our laws to allow states that require state police to establish them." This represents a significant shift in Nigeria's security architecture, potentially decentralizing police powers for the first time.
The administration's emergency measures include substantial recruitment drives for security personnel. The police force is authorized to recruit an additional 20,000 officers, while the armed forces will also see expanded numbers. In a strategic redeployment, officers previously assigned to VIP protection duties will undergo intensive retraining before being deployed to high-risk areas across the nation.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has received directives to immediately deploy trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits hiding in wooded areas. The secret police will also embark on new recruitment to strengthen their operational capacity.
President Tinubu assured that his administration would provide full support to state governments that have already created security outfits, emphasizing their role in protecting citizens from "terrorists bent on disrupting our national peace."
