Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency in Nigeria as armed attacks and mass kidnappings continue to unsettle communities across several states. His announcement was shared through an official statement released on Wednesday and circulated by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
The declaration comes after a month marked by widespread violence that claimed dozens of lives and left hundreds missing. Among the most notable cases are the abductions of schoolchildren in Niger State and earlier kidnappings of students in Kebbi and worshippers in Kwara. Some victims have since been freed, while many remain unaccounted for.
Tinubu said the worsening situation demanded urgent measures, including authorising the army and police to recruit thousands of new personnel. The police have been permitted to take in an additional twenty thousand officers, increasing their total recruitment to fifty thousand.
He also directed security agencies to activate training camps immediately, including the use of National Youth Service Corps facilities as temporary depots. Officers withdrawn from VIP protection duties are to undergo rapid retraining before being deployed to areas facing persistent attacks.
The president gave further instructions to the Department of State Services, authorising the deployment of trained forest guards and the recruitment of additional personnel to track armed groups operating in remote areas. He declared that there would be no further hiding places for those behind the attacks.
Tinubu praised security services for securing the release of students in Kebbi and worshippers in Kwara, adding that operations to rescue pupils kidnapped in Niger State were continuing. He urged the military to remain steadfast and maintain discipline as they work to restore calm.
The emergency declaration also touched on policy matters. Tinubu called on the National Assembly to consider amendments allowing states to establish their own police services. He encouraged state governments to strengthen local security initiatives and review the placement of boarding schools in remote areas without adequate protection. He urged places of worship in vulnerable zones to maintain close communication with security agencies.
Tinubu said the creation of Nigeria’s Livestock Ministry was meant to address long standing clashes between herders and farmers. He encouraged herder groups to embrace ranching, end open grazing and surrender illegal weapons.
He extended condolences to families affected by recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe and Kwara, and paid tribute to soldiers who died in the line of duty, including Brigadier General Musa Uba.
Tinubu cautioned those responsible for the violence not to mistake the government’s restraint for weakness. He appealed to citizens to remain vigilant, support security agencies and report suspicious activities as authorities attempt to bring the situation under control.
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