What Tinubu’s nationwide security emergency means – what you need to know

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency, announcing sweeping measures to confront the surge in violent attacks across multiple states.

Scores of Nigerians have been kidnapped across different states in the northern region of the country in the last two weeks in a wave of terror attacks. Many of the victims are children taken from their schools. Terrorists have also killed some of their captives, including an army general and a Christian cleric who was kidnapped alongside his wife and daughter.

Tinubu’s directive marks the most far-reaching security intervention of his administration, with new powers granted to the police, army, and intelligence agencies.

Here is what the emergency declaration means:

1. Recruitment Drive Across Security Agencies

Tinubu has authorised recruitment to rapidly increase personnel strength:

Police: An extra 20,000 officers, raising new intakes to 50,000.

Army: Approved for additional recruitment (numbers not specified).

SSS: Allowed to deploy already-trained forest guards and recruit more personnel for forest operations.

The president also directed that withdrawn VIP security details undergo immediate retraining for deployment to high-risk areas.

NYSC Camps to Become Police Training Centres

To speed up recruitment and training, the police can now use National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps nationwide as temporary training depots. This follows earlier approval to upgrade police training institutions.

Forests to Be “Flushed” of Bandits and Terrorists

Tinubu ordered the SSS to deploy trained forest guards immediately to sweep forests where armed groups operate. He said there will be “no more hiding places for agents of evil.”

States to Receive Support for Local Security Outfits

Tinubu said the federal government will back state-level security agencies already operating across the country.

He also formally asked the National Assembly to begin reviewing laws that would allow states to establish state police, a long-running national debate.

New Guidance for Schools, Churches and Mosques

As attacks on rural schools and worship centres rise, Tinubu advised:

States to reconsider boarding schools in remote, unsecured areas

Churches and mosques to seek regular police protection, especially in vulnerable locations

Push to End Open Grazing

Reiterating the mandate of the new Ministry of Livestock Development, Tinubu urged herder associations to adopt ranching, surrender illegal arms, and end open grazing—describing ranching as the only sustainable path to peace between farmers and herders.