President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has bowed to pressure by declaring a security emergency in the country even as he ordered the army and the police to recruit more personnel to fight insecurity across the country.
This is coming in the wave of rising insecurity in the country.
The President also told the National Assembly to begin the process of reviewing the law to allow states willing to establish state police do so.
Tinubu in a statement he signed, directed the Department of State Services, DSS, to deploy all the forest guards already to combat terrorists and bandits occupying the nation’s forest.
He requested for more recruitment of security personnel to guard the forest against bandits invasion.
According to him, “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 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.”
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.
“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.”
President Tinubu commended 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,” he added.
He commended the leadership and rank and file of the armed forces for heir courage and sacrifice.
“This is a challenging moment for our nation and for the military institution itself. I charge you to remain resolute, restore peace across all theatres of operation and 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,” he added.
He said: “I call on the National Assembly to begin reviewing our laws to allow states that require state police establish them.’’
Tinubu called on herder associations to end open grazing and surrender illegal weapons, noting that ranching was now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony
“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 said.
The President sympathised with the families who have lost their loved ones in recent attacks on soft targets in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara states.
About the Author
