Olushola Omogbehin
Following the recent worsening security situation in the country, President Bola Tinubu has declared a security emergency by ordering the Nigerian Police and Armed Forces to recruit additional personnel.
This was disclosed in a statement issued from the Statehouse on Wednesday where the president ordered the police to recruit 20,000 new officers, thereby making the total planned intake to be 50,000.
The statement read, “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.”
Tinubu also directed the Department of State Services, DSS, to immediately deploy all the forest guards already trained to flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in the nation’s forests.
He said: “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.
President Tinubu directed as well that police officers withdrawn from Very Important Personalities, VIPs, guard duties should undergo crash training to debrief them and deliver more efficient police services when deployed to security-challenged areas of the country.
“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.”
Commending the efforts of security agents for the rescuing of our schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 worshippers in Kwara State, he vowed to sustain efforts to free students still held hostage in Niger State.
Speaking further, Tinubu said “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,” he added.
On state police, Tinubu called on National Assembly to review laws to allow states to establish state police where necessary and urged local authorities and religious institutions to improve security measures.
