President Bola Tinubu has taken sweeping action to address Nigeria's escalating security challenges by declaring a nationwide security emergency and implementing ten major directives aimed at strengthening the country's response to persistent threats.
The announcement came through a social media post by Dada Olusegun, special assistant to the president on social media, following recent sinister bandit attacks across the nation. The comprehensive security plan focuses on boosting manpower, improving coordination among security agencies, and guiding state governments toward sustainable protection strategies.
Nationwide Security Emergency Declared
President Tinubu's declaration of a nationwide security emergency provides legal and operational backing for enhanced deployments in vulnerable communities. This emergency declaration enables security agencies to act quickly in regions where banditry and terrorism have remained active despite previous interventions.
The emergency measures include the immediate deployment of additional personnel to troubled regions where attacks have persisted. Security forces will receive operational flexibility to respond more effectively to threats across the country.
Comprehensive Security Reinforcement Strategy
The presidential directives encompass multiple aspects of national security, beginning with significant personnel expansions. Both the police and army received clearance to enlarge their workforce to address critical manpower shortages that have hampered operations in several regions.
The Nigeria Police Force received approval to recruit 20,000 additional officers, raising their total planned intake to 50,000. To accelerate training cycles, police authorities may now convert National Youth Service Corps camps into temporary training facilities, reducing pressure on existing training infrastructure.
Strategic Redeployment and Specialized Operations
In a move to optimize existing resources, President Tinubu directed that officers recalled from VIP guard assignments should undergo rapid training and redeployment to frontline areas. This ensures experienced personnel are available where they are needed most.
The Department of State Services received instructions to immediately deploy its trained forest guards to confront terrorists and bandits hiding in difficult terrain. The DSS will also conduct additional recruitment specifically for forest security operations to enhance their capacity to operate in challenging environments.
The Federal Government committed to supporting states that have created their own security outfits, aiming to improve local intelligence gathering and strengthen early-response systems. Tinubu also urged the National Assembly to review legal frameworks that would allow states to establish their own police units where needed.
Addressing Root Causes and Community Protection
Beyond immediate security measures, the president addressed underlying issues contributing to insecurity. He appealed to herder associations to embrace the newly created Livestock Ministry and end open grazing, stating clearly that ranching is the path forward and demanding the surrender of illegal weapons.
For community protection, states received advice to reconsider creating boarding schools in remote areas without reliable security. Religious centers were urged to maintain close contact with security agencies, particularly in communities with a history of attacks.
These sweeping measures represent the most comprehensive security response from the Tinubu administration to date, signaling a determined effort to turn around Nigeria's security situation through both immediate actions and long-term strategic planning.
