President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency in response to the escalating threats posed by terrorists and bandits across Nigeria. The announcement, made from Aso Rock Villa on November 26, 2025, authorises significant reinforcement of the country’s security architecture through expanded recruitment and redeployment of personnel.

Under the new directive, the Nigeria Police Force will recruit an additional 20,000 officers, raising its strength to 50,000. The army has also been authorised to increase its manpower. To accelerate training, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps across the country will be utilised as temporary police training depots. Officers withdrawn from VIP guard duties are expected to undergo crash training before being redeployed to security-challenged regions.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has been empowered to immediately deploy trained forest guards to flush out criminal elements hiding in forests. The agency has also been directed to recruit more personnel to strengthen surveillance and security operations in rural areas.

Tinubu commended security agencies for their recent successes, including the rescue of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 worshippers in Kwara State. He assured that efforts would continue to secure the release of students abducted from Catholic School in Niger State and other Nigerians still held hostage.

The President paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba, and expressed sympathy to families affected by recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States. He urged the Armed Forces to remain resolute, disciplined, and uncompromising in restoring peace across all theatres of operation, promising full government support.

The administration also pledged backing for state governments that have established local security outfits. Tinubu called on the National Assembly to review laws to enable states requiring state police to establish them. He advised states to reconsider boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security and urged religious institutions in vulnerable regions to seek police protection during gatherings.

Addressing the persistent clashes between herders and farmers, Tinubu highlighted the creation of the Livestock Ministry as a long-term solution. He encouraged herder associations to embrace ranching, end open grazing, and surrender illegal weapons, stressing that ranching is the sustainable path to national harmony.

The President emphasised that the declaration marks a national emergency requiring collective effort. He urged Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with security agencies, warning that restraint should not be mistaken for weakness.

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to safeguard the nation, preserve unity, and guarantee peaceful coexistence. He called on citizens to resist fear and despair, assuring that Nigeria will overcome its security challenges.

Full text:

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 authorised 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.

In addition, our 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.

States should rethink establishing boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security. Mosques and churches should constantly seek police and other security protection when they gather for prayers, especially in vulnerable areas.

Our administration created the Livestock Ministry to address the persistent clashes between herders and farmers. I call on all herder associations to take advantage of it, end open grazing and surrender illegal weapons. Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony. The Federal Government, in collaboration with the states, will work with you to solve this problem, once and for all.

I sympathise with the families who have lost their loved ones in recent attacks on soft targets in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States. I also pay tribute to our brave soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.

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.

I sympathise with the families who have lost their loved ones in recent attacks on soft targets in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States. I also pay tribute to our brave soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.

Fellow Compatriots, I urge you not to give in to fear and never succumb to despair. Let’s stand together in purpose and strength to defend our freedom and values. Our administration will continue to guarantee peaceful co-existence and preserve our union. I urge all Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant. Report suspicious activities. Cooperate with security agencies. We are in this fight together, and together we shall win.

May God continue to bless Nigeria and keep our armed forces safe.

PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR, ASO ROCK VILLA, NOVEMBER 26, 2025