By Cross Udo, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday formally shifted ground on the long-running agitation for state police, directing the National Assembly to commence a constitutional review to allow willing states to establish their own policing structures.
The move comes after decades of repeated demands by regional blocs, ethnic nationalities, and civil society organisations for decentralised policing, agitations that intensified as insecurity worsened nationwide.
Tinubu’s directive marked the first time since 1999 that a sitting President openly backed the creation of state police.
It also aligns with the growing trend of states setting up regional and local security outfits, such as Amotekun in the South-West, Ebube Agu in the South-East, and various vigilante networks across the North, following years of banditry, insurgency, communal violence and kidnapping that overstretched federal security agencies.
*Declares national security emergency, orders massive Police, Military recruitment
The President, in a statement, declared a national security emergency, ordering the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force to immediately embark on massive recruitment to boost the workforce in troubled hotspots.
“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,” Tinubu said.
Under the new measures, the police are authorised to recruit 20,000 additional officers, increasing the already-approved figure to 50,000, while the military is also mandated to expand its ranks.
Tinubu further authorised the temporary use of NYSC camps as training depots to fast-track capacity building.
The President also directed that all police personnel who had been earlier withdrawn from VIP escort duties be subjected to crash retraining programmes before being redeployed to frontline theatres.
*Tells DSS to deploy forest guards to flush out bandits
As part of the emergency security directives, Tinubu ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately deploy all trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits occupying Nigeria’s forests.
He added that the DSS has presidential approval to recruit additional personnel to secure forest corridors that have long been used as hideouts and operational bases by criminal groups.
“There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” he stated.
Tinubu commended the joint security operations that facilitated the release of 24 abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 kidnapped worshippers in Kwara State.
He gave assurances that efforts were ongoing to rescue students of the Catholic school in Niger State and other Nigerians still in captivity.
He charged the armed forces to intensify operations across all fronts, “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 President said his administration would support states that have already established their own security outfits, stressing that the federal government’s stance was now aligned with their efforts.
Tinubu also called for an overhaul of boarding school operations, warning states against siting them in isolated areas without adequate security.
He urged religious institutions, especially in volatile regions, to work closely with security agencies during congregational activities.
On the persistent herder-farmer conflicts, Tinubu restated that open grazing must end, urging herder groups to embrace ranching and surrender illegal weapons.
“Our administration created the Livestock Ministry to address the persistent clashes between herders and farmers. Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony,” he said.
He condoled with families affected by recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe and Kwara, paying tribute especially to soldiers who lost their lives, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.
Sounding a stern warning to violent groups, Tinubu said, “Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness.”
He called on citizens to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative with security agencies, “Our administration will continue to guarantee peaceful co-existence and preserve our union. We are in this fight together, and together we shall win.”
He concluded with a renewed call for unity and resilience: “Let’s stand together in purpose and strength to defend our freedom and values. May God continue to bless Nigeria and keep our armed forces safe.”
