President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency and ordered additional recruitment into the armed forces.
In a statement on Wednesday, the president said 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,” Tinubu said.
The president noted that while he had previously approved the nationwide upgrade of police training facilities, the police authorities are by his declaration authorised to use various National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as training depots.
He added that officers being withdrawn from the very important (VIP) guard duties should undergo crash training to debrief them and deliver more efficient police services when deployed to security-challenged areas of the country.
“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,” Tinubu said.
“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.
Let me take this moment to commend our security agencies for working together to secure the release of the 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and the 38 worshippers in Kwara State.
“We will continue to sustain the efforts to rescue the remaining students of the Catholic School in Niger State and other Nigerians still being held hostage.
“To the leadership and rank and file of our Armed Forces, I commend your courage and your sacrifice. 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.”
The president said his administration will “support state governments which have set up security outfits to safeguard their people from the terrorists bent on disrupting our national peace”.
He also asked the national assembly to begin reviewing the nation’s laws to allow states that require state police to establish them.
“States should rethink establishing boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security,” he said.
“Mosques and churches should constantly seek police and other security protection when they gather for prayers, especially in vulnerable areas.
“Our administration created the Livestock Ministry to address the persistent clashes between herders and farmers.
“I call on all herder associations to take advantage of it, end open grazing and surrender illegal weapons. Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony.