Security Boost: Tinubu Activates Emergency Response, Expands DSS and Police Strength
In a decisive move aimed at tackling Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially declared a nationwide security emergency, unveiling a sweeping set of directives designed to strengthen law-enforcement, expand frontline manpower, and reinforce state and community-level protection architecture.
This major announcement comes amid ongoing concerns about banditry, kidnapping, and terror threats across several regions of the country.
Massive Recruitment Drive
A key highlight of the President’s directive is the approval of large-scale recruitment across federal agencies:
- The Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force are to immediately recruit thousands of additional personnel.
- The Police will add 20,000 new officers, raising its planned recruitment figure to 50,000 personnel.
- NYSC Orientation Camps across Nigeria will now serve as temporary training centers for new police recruits, fast-tracking deployment to security-challenged areas.
This move aims to quickly boost the country’s security presence, particularly in rural communities and major flashpoints.
DSS to Deploy and Expand Forest Guards
To intensify the fight against bandits and terrorists hiding in forests, President Tinubu directed the Department of State Services (DSS) to:
- Immediately deploy trained forest guards,
- Expand their numbers, and
- Flush out criminal elements operating within Nigeria’s forest corridors.
This is part of a renewed strategy to reclaim ungoverned spaces and dismantle hideouts used by kidnappers and insurgent groups.
Support & Push for State Police
In a significant policy shift, the President announced that:
- The Federal Government will support states establishing their own protection outfits, and
- He has urged the National Assembly to begin legislative work toward the creation of state police, for states that are ready to adopt it.
This marks one of the strongest federal endorsements yet toward decentralizing Nigeria’s security system—a move long demanded by state governors and security advocates.
Commendation for Recent Rescues
President Tinubu praised the successful rescue operations that freed:
- 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State, and
- 38 kidnapped worshippers in Kwara State.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing the release of the remaining abducted pupils in Niger State, stressing that every child’s safety remains a national priority.
The declaration of a nationwide security emergency signals a new era in Nigeria’s fight against crime and terrorism. With mass recruitment, expanded security formations, and stronger state collaboration, the Federal Government aims to deliver a more robust, more coordinated national response.
As the new measures roll out, analysts and citizens alike will be watching closely to see how these directives translate into real improvements on the ground.
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