A national emergency has been declared in security by President Bola Tinubu following emerging security situation, triggered by incessant attacks by terrorists in the past few days.
A statement from the presidency on Wednesday night disclosed that Mr Tinubu has approved additional recruitment into the Armed Forces, authorising the police and the army to recruit more personnel.
In the statement, it was disclosed that the police will recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total to 50,000, with the various National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps to be used as training depots.
The President noted that. “The officers being withdrawn from VIP guard duties should undergo crash training to debrief them and deliver more efficient police services when deployed to security-challenged areas of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. 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,” he declared.
“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 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.
“In addition, our 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 stated.
The President urged the National Assembly to begin reviewing laws to allow states that require state police to establish them, tasking state governments to “rethink establishing boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security. Mosques and churches should constantly seek police and other security protection when they gather for prayers, especially in vulnerable areas.”