By Patrick Obia
In view of the emerging security situation, panic and shortages of manpower, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ahmed Tinubu has decided to declare a nationwide security emergency and order additional recruitment into the Armed Forces, police
He gave the directives in a statement he signed and made available on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, in the State House Abuja, stating that his administration will wake up to its responsibility of protecting lives and property of the citizens and will not give room to terrorists and men of the underworld to rob the nation of the peace and tranquility its craves for.
He said by this declaration, the police and the army are authorized to recruit more personnel. The police will recruit an additional twenty thousand (20,000) officers, bringing the total to fifty (50,000).
The President approved the nationwide upgrade of police training facilities; the police authorities are, by the statement, authorized to use various National Youth Service Corps camps as training depots.
Tinubu noted that the declaration and call is a national emergency, and all are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas. Adding that the times require all hands on deck and as Nigerians, all should get involved in securing our nation.
The statement reads in full: “Fellow Nigerians, 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 authorized 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.
“The officers being withdrawn from VIP guard duties should undergo crash training to debrief them and deliver more efficient police services when deployed to security-challenged areas of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.
“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 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.”
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