President Bola Tinubu has declared a security emergency across Nigeria. This comes amid the worsening security situation in the country, and Nigerians have been reacting.
In a press statement he personally signed, BAT directed the Department of State Services, DSS, to immediately deploy all the forest guards already trained to neutralize the terrorists and bandits lurking in Nigeria’s forests.
Ordering the army and the police should work on recruiting more personnel, he told the National Assembly to begin the process of reviewing the law that will allow states to establish state police.
He stated that with more security personnel in the forests, there will be no more hiding places for agents of darkness.
“Today, in view of the emerging security situation, I have decided to declare a nationwide security emergency and order additional recruitment into the Armed Forces.
By this declaration, the police and the army are authorised to recruit more personnel. The police will recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total to 50,000.
Although I had previously approved the nationwide upgrade of police training facilities, the police authorities are, by this statement, authorised to use various National Youth Service Corps camps as training depots,” he wrote.
Tinubu further ordered that police officers withdrawn from VIPs should undergo immediate crash training to debrief them ahead of their deployment to security-challenged areas of the country.
He concluded by commending security agencies for working together to secure the release of the 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and the 38 worshippers in Kwara State.
“The DSS also has my authority to immediately deploy all the forest guards already trained to flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in our forests. The agency also has my directive to recruit more men to man the forests. There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil.
My fellow Nigerians, this is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas. The times require all hands on deck. As Nigerians, we should all get involved in securing our nation.
We will continue to sustain the efforts to rescue the remaining students of Catholic School in Niger State and other Nigerians still being held hostage.
This is a challenging moment for our nation and for the military institution itself. I charge you to remain resolute, to restore peace across all theatres of operation, and to uphold the highest standards of discipline and integrity.
There must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence. The Nigerian people are counting on you, and this administration will provide the support you need to succeed,” he added.
