Insecurity: Tinubu backs creation of State Police, orders N’Assembly to begin amendment

...approves mass recruitment into security agencies

By Sodiq Adelakun

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given full presidential backing to the establishment of state police, directing the National Assembly to immediately commence the amendment of relevant laws to allow states that require it to set up their own policing structures.

Tinubu made the declaration in a national broadcast on Wednesday while announcing a sweeping security emergency and ordering the military, police and intelligence agencies to embark on accelerated recruitment to confront the rising wave of terrorism, kidnapping and criminal attacks across the country.

“I call on the National Assembly to begin reviewing our laws to allow states that require state police to establish them,” the President said, marking a significant policy shift that aligns with growing demands from state governors, lawmakers and security experts.

He explained that the escalating insecurity in parts of the country required bold, decentralised responses, stressing that the President “cannot be everywhere at the same time” and that state governments must take greater responsibility for protecting their people.

Under the new directive, the Nigeria Police Force has been authorised to recruit an additional 20,000 officers—raising the number of new intakes to 50,000. 

Tinubu also approved the temporary use of NYSC camps as police training centres to fast-track deployment.

The President further instructed the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately deploy all trained forest guards to clear terrorists and bandits hiding in forests nationwide, with fresh recruitment to follow.

Declaring the situation a “national emergency,” Tinubu said his administration was deploying unprecedented manpower to stabilise the country.

“This is a challenging moment for our nation. There must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence,” he warned security agencies.

He also commended the armed forces and intelligence services for securing the release of abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi and worshippers in Kwara, adding that efforts would continue until the remaining kidnapped students in Niger State were rescued.

Tinubu urged religious centres to increase security coordination and advised state governments to reconsider placing boarding schools in isolated locations without strong protection.

He also called on herders to embrace ranching, noting that the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development was designed to end decades-long farmer-herder conflicts.

“Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness,” Tinubu said, assuring Nigerians that his administration would not allow terrorists to impose fear across the country.

He appealed to citizens to remain calm and vigilant, report suspicious movements, and work closely with security agencies.

He added: “We are in this fight together, and together we shall win. 
vowed that terrorists, bandits and their collaborators will be relentlessly pursued under the newly declared national security emergency, insisting that “there will be no hiding place for agents of evil.”

The President, who authorised massive new recruitments into the Army, Police and DSS, said security agencies had been fully empowered to flush out criminals—especially those operating from forests and border communities.
He confirmed that trained forest guards would be deployed immediately, with more personnel to be recruited to reinforce ongoing operations.

Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies, stressing that the government was responding with unprecedented force and coordination.

He added: “This is a national emergency, we are deploying more boots on the ground, and we will restore peace across all theatres of operation.”