• Tinubu declares national security emergency amid rising violence, abductions
  
• 20,000 new police recruits planned; DSS to deploy forest rangers urgently
  
• President urges state police creation to bolster local security efforts

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency on Wednesday as violence worsens across several regions. The plan includes large-scale recruitment of security personnel to strengthen the fight against terrorism and organized crime.

STATEHOUSE STATEMENT PRESIDENT TINUBU DECLARES A SECURITY EMERGENCY, ORDERS ARMY, POLICE TO RECRUIT MORE PERSONNEL

Today, in view of the emerging security situation, I have decided to declare a nationwide security emergency and order additional recruitment into the Armed… pic.twitter.com/7i3RqtxuuE

— Bayo Onanuga, OON, CON (@aonanuga1956) November 26, 2025

Under the plan, the federal police will hire an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the force to 50,000. To speed up training and deployment, authorities may use National Youth Service Corps camps as training centers. Officers currently assigned to close-protection duties will also undergo intensive training before being redeployed to high-risk zones.

Tinubu also authorized the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately mobilize all trained forest rangers to pursue terrorists and bandits hiding in forested areas, and to begin recruiting additional personnel to secure these zones.

“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 president said. “The times require all hands on deck. As Nigerians, we should all get involved in securing our nation.”

The announcement comes as Africa’s most populous country faces mounting security threats. On Friday, several schools were attacked, and more than 300 students were abducted in Niger State, according to the United Nations. Communities in Benue, Plateau and Kebbi have also been hit by attacks in recent years.

Tinubu further urged state governments to establish their own security forces and called on the National Assembly to amend legislation to permit the creation of state police.

Ingrid Haffiny