President Bola Tinubu has announced a nationwide security emergency and approved the recruitment of thousands of additional police officers and military personnel as part of efforts to combat rising cases of kidnapping, killings and other violent crimes across Nigeria.
The President made the declaration during his nationwide broadcast marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration and 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance in the country.
Tinubu noted that this year’s Democracy Day commemoration was overshadowed by the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states, expressing optimism that the victims would be safely reunited with their families.
According to the President, security remains a critical pillar of democracy, stressing that democratic governance cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
“Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return,” he said.
He added that his administration had declared a security emergency and authorised the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers, alongside thousands of military recruits, to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
Tinubu also disclosed that the Federal Government had made its largest-ever budgetary allocation to the defence and security sector in the 2026 fiscal year.
He said a total of ₦5.41 trillion had been earmarked for defence and security, describing the allocation as a clear demonstration of the administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the country.
“Our 2026 budget commits ₦5.41 trillion, our largest ever, to defence and security. Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people,” the President stated.
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