President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency and directed the Nigerian Police and Armed Forces to recruit 20,000 new personnel in response to rising insecurity across the country.
The directive aims to bolster national security and reinforce law enforcement capacity as the government intensifies efforts to confront widespread banditry, kidnapping, and insurgent activities. Under the emergency order, recruitment of the additional police and military personnel is expected to begin immediately, with accelerated training and deployment protocols.
In announcing the decision, Tinubu stressed the urgency of restoring public confidence in the nation’s security architecture. He called on security agencies to act swiftly and decisively to protect lives and property, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement.
The president also pledged enhanced coordination between the police, military, and intelligence services — describing the move as a necessary step to address the complex security challenges facing the country. Observers say the recruitment drive could significantly expand the manpower of security agencies and improve response times in troubled regions.
However, some analysts warn that recruitment alone may not solve deep-rooted issues such as corruption, inadequate training, and poor logistics, which have long undermined security efforts. They suggest that substantial reforms in strategy, intelligence gathering, and community policing must accompany any increase in personnel.
As the recruitment process begins, all eyes will be on how quickly and effectively the new officers are deployed, and whether the measure can deliver tangible improvements in security across Nigeria.
