President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) has called on the National Assembly to begin reviewing Nigeria’s laws to allow states that require state police to establish them.
The call is contained in a State House statement issued on November 25, in which the president declares a nationwide security emergency.
“My fellow Nigerians, this is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas,” PBAT said while calling on all Nigerians to get involved in securing the country.
He therefore directed the recruitment of additional personnel by the Nigerian Army and the Police.
“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,” PBAT said.
The president, who vowed that “There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” has given DSS the “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.”
He commended the personnel of the various services involved in counterinsurgency and banditry for their courage and sacrifice, but warned that “There must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence.”
While sympathising with victims of insecurity, PBAT urged Nigerians “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.”
