President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately deploy trained forest guards to flush out bandits and terrorists hiding in forests across the country.
The President made the call on Wednesday while declaring a nationwide security emergency and directing the army and police to recruit additional personnel to strengthen security nationwide.
The statement announcing the new orders was shared by Sunday Dare, a media aide to the President.
“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,” the statement read in part.
Earlier, tgis newspaper reported that President Tinubu called on the National Assembly to begin reviewing Nigeria’s laws to allow states that require state police to establish them, as part of his broader response to the country’s escalating insecurity.
Tinubu 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”.
“I call on the National Assembly to begin reviewing our laws to allow states that require state police to establish them,” he added.
“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,” Tinubu said in a statement.
“By this declaration, 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.”
The statement also authorised the use of National Youth Service Corps camps as training depots to speed up the preparation of officers, particularly those being withdrawn from VIP guard duties, who will undergo crash training before deployment to security-challenged areas.
The President praised the security agencies for recent operations, including the release of 24 abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 worshippers in Kwara State, and stressed the need for continued vigilance to rescue other Nigerians still in captivity.
He also urged states to reconsider establishing boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security and advised religious institutions to seek police protection for gatherings in vulnerable locations.
On Tuesday, this newspaper reported that President Tinubu ordered the deployment of security forces to establish cordons around forests in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger states.
“President Tinubu directed the airforce to expand its air surveillance across the innermost parts of the forests in Kwara state where it is believed the terrorists are hiding,” a statement shared by the Presidency said.
“They are to maintain a 24-hour surveillance and link up with the booths on the ground. This order equally applies to the Kebbi and Niger States axis where many are expected to be rescued.”
Source: SaharaReporters
