President Bola Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with service chiefs and intelligence heads at the State House, ordering greater efficiency in security strategies and delivering tangible results amid ongoing threats in Nigeria. This follows his declaration of a nationwide security emergency, in response to escalating kidnappings, killings, and attacks across various regions.
During the session, President Tinubu emphasized the need for reformed national security architecture to permanently safeguard Nigerians. He directed all agencies to intensify operations, ensuring full government support to protect lives and property. Recent abductions and coordinated raids have tested these measures, heightening public anxiety and underscoring the urgency of the President's call.
Key initiatives outlined include recruiting 50,000 additional police officers, redeploying personnel from VIP duties to frontline roles, and utilizing NYSC camps for accelerated training. The Department of State Services (DSS) will deploy trained forest guards to eliminate terrorists and bandits from hideouts, with calls for further recruitment.
President Tinubu also urged the National Assembly to expedite laws for state police forces and directed the Livestock Ministry to address herder-farmer conflicts through ranching and ending open grazing. Herder associations must surrender illegal arms and embrace sustainable practices. States are advised to review boarding schools in vulnerable areas and ensure religious centers receive ongoing protection.
"This is a decisive push to eradicate insecurity," President Tinubu stated. "We must reform our framework and deliver swift victories for the Nigerian people."
The administration remains committed to collaborating with states and international partners, as echoed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo's call for firm action against bandits. Northern governors have endorsed state police and suspended mining activities to curb related threats.