President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has 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.
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 across the country.
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National Youth Service Corps camps as training depots to speed up the preparation of officers, particularly those being withdrawn from VIP guard duties, who will undergo crash training before deployment to security-challenged areas.
Tinubu further directed the Department of State Services (DSS) to deploy trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits hiding in forests and instructed the agency to recruit more personnel to man these regions.
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.
The President 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 areas.
Tinubu highlighted other measures taken by his administration to address insecurity, including the creation of the Ministry of Livestock to tackle clashes between herders and farmers. He called on herder associations to end open grazing, surrender illegal weapons, and embrace ranching for sustainable livestock farming.
He sympathised with the families affected by recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States and paid tribute to soldiers, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba, who lost their lives in the line of duty.
“Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness. This administration has the courage and determination to keep the country safe and ensure our citizens live in peace,” he added.
Tinubu concluded by urging Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with security agencies, assuring that the administration would continue to guarantee peaceful co-existence and preserve national unity.
Source: SaharaReporters
