Tinubu Implements Urgent Security Measures Following Kidnappings With Expanded Police Army And Vigilante Recruitment

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency as part of an intensified effort to tackle terrorism, banditry, and widespread insecurity across the country. The announcement, made during a televised address, outlined a series of immediate measures aimed at strengthening law enforcement and protecting citizens from ongoing threats.

The President has directed both the Nigerian Army and Police to accelerate recruitment drives to bolster manpower. The police force, in particular, will see an increase of 20,000 officers, bringing the total number to 50,000 personnel. In an innovative approach, the government plans to utilize National Youth Service Corps camps as training depots for new police recruits, ensuring rapid deployment to areas most affected by insecurity.

In addition to police expansion, the Department of State Services has been instructed to deploy forest guards immediately while increasing recruitment of new personnel. These measures aim to target terrorist groups and bandit networks that have continued to operate in rural and forested areas, threatening lives and property. The DSS initiative complements broader federal efforts to support states in establishing localized security outfits, offering financial and logistical assistance to strengthen state-level law enforcement.

President Tinubu also emphasized the importance of legislative support, calling on the National Assembly to expedite work on establishing a state police framework. The administration believes that state police, operating alongside federal security agencies, will enhance rapid response capabilities, reduce criminal activities, and improve overall public safety.

The announcement comes in the wake of recent rescue operations, which the President commended for their success. Twenty-four schoolgirls abducted in Kebbi State and thirty-eight worshippers kidnapped in Kwara State have been safely returned to their families. Tinubu vowed that operations will continue with renewed vigor to ensure the safe release of remaining pupils abducted in Niger State, underscoring the administration’s commitment to protecting vulnerable communities.

These measures form part of a broader national security strategy designed to integrate federal, state, and community efforts. By combining recruitment, enhanced training, forest and rural surveillance, and legislative action, the government aims to create a comprehensive security architecture capable of preventing future abductions and criminal activity. Analysts suggest that the government’s proactive approach, if effectively implemented, could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against insecurity.

The security emergency declaration reflects the administration’s acknowledgment of the urgent need to restore confidence in law enforcement while providing reassurance to citizens that their safety remains a top priority. With these measures, the government is signaling a shift towards more coordinated, multi-layered interventions that seek to combine human resources, technology, and community engagement to tackle persistent security challenges. 

BREAKING: President Tinubu declares a nationwide security emergency.

• Orders Army & Police to recruit more personnel. Police to add 20,000 officers (total now 50,000).
• NYSC camps to be used as police training depots.
• DSS to deploy forest guards immediately and recruit… pic.twitter.com/dHfOzYtSMH

— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) November 26, 2025