Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency and authorized additional recruitment into Nigeria’s security forces in response to rising insecurity across several states.
In a statement issued from Aso Rock on November 26, 2025, the President said: “I have decided to declare a nationwide security emergency and order additional recruitment into the Armed Forces.” He announced that the police will recruit 20,000 more officers, bringing the total to 50,000, while the army is also cleared to expand its personnel strength.
Tinubu also authorised the use of National Youth Service Corps camps as training depots and directed that officers previously assigned to VIP guard duties undergo crash training before redeployment to high-risk zones.
“This is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground,” he stated.
He further instructed the Department of State Services (DSS) to “deploy all the forest guards already trained to flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in our forests,” noting that the agency has authority to recruit additional manpower to reinforce forest operations.
The President commended security agencies for recent rescue efforts, saying; “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.”
He also praised the Armed Forces for their sacrifice, adding: “There must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence. The Nigerian people are counting on you.”
Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, calm and united. “Report suspicious activities. Cooperate with security agencies. We are in this fight together, and together we shall win,” he said.
The President also called on the National Assembly to review laws that prevent states from establishing state police structures and advised states to avoid siting boarding schools in unsecured remote locations.
He expressed condolences to families affected by recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe and Kwara states, and paid tribute to soldiers who died in the line of duty, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.
Tinubu concluded: “May God continue to bless Nigeria and keep our armed forces safe.”
