The Federal Government has signalled unprecedented support for state police and decentralised security frameworks, aligning with Southern leaders who insist only a multi-tiered policing system can stabilise Nigeria as federal forces struggle to contain deepening banditry and terror threats.
In a statement released by the State House yesterday, President Bola Tinubu, “in view of the emerging security situation…decided to declare a nationwide security emergency and order additional recruitment into the Armed Forces.”
The move came on the heels of recent mass abductions and killings in several parts of the country.
“Our administration will support state governments which have set up security outfits to safeguard their people from the terrorists bent on disrupting our national peace,” President Tinubu said, calling on the National Assembly to “begin reviewing our laws to allow states that require state police to establish them.”
The momentous decision by the presidency came as a joint meeting of the Southern Governors’ Forum and the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council issued a communique yesterday, calling for state policing.
“The Forum reiterated its longstanding call for the establishment of State Police as a constitutional imperative. It emphasised that the success of community-based and regional security outfits underscores the urgent need for decentralised policing.”
Also backing support for regional security structures, “the Forum resolved to enhance regional and local security outfits, including hunter associations and community-based surveillance units, through the provision of equipment, logistics, and operational support.”
President Bola Tinubu ordered large-scale recruitment across Nigeria’s security services, directing the police to enlist an additional 20,000 personnel, bringing the ongoing recruitment cycle to 50,000, as part of what he described as a nationwide security emergency.
Also, the President authorised the police to convert National Youth Service Corps camps into temporary training depots and directed that officers withdrawn from VIP protection units undergo immediate crash retraining before deployment to security-challenged areas.
Tinubu empowered the Department of State Services (DSS) to deploy trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits hiding in forests, with instructions to recruit additional operatives to reinforce the operation. “There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” he said.
He noted that the scale of recent attacks demanded urgent, coordinated action. “This is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground,” he said, urging citizens to support security agencies and report threats promptly.
The President commended security forces for securing the release of 24 abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 kidnapped worshippers in Kwara State, adding that efforts were ongoing to rescue remaining hostages, including the students abducted in Niger State.
Addressing the Armed Forces, Tinubu praised their courage and charged them to remain resolute. “There must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence. The Nigerian people are counting on you,” he said.
The President advised state governments to reconsider siting boarding schools in remote locations without adequate security and urged religious institutions in vulnerable areas to seek regular police protection.
On clashes between herders and farmers, Tinubu appealed to pastoral groups to embrace ranching, take advantage of the newly created Livestock Ministry, end open grazing and surrender illegal weapons, saying the Federal Government would partner with states to resolve the crisis.
He extended condolences to families affected by recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe and Kwara States, and paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.
“Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness,” Tinubu said. “This administration has the courage and determination to keep the country safe and ensure our citizens live in peace.”
At the joint meeting of the Southern Governors’ Forum and the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council held at the Governor’s Residence, Iperu-Remo, Ogun State, the joint forum reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment to the unity of Nigeria, the deepening of regional collaboration, and the strengthening of a more inclusive, secure, and equitable federation.”
Besides resolutions on state policing, the Forum resolved: “Member states of each geopolitical zone will contribute to a dedicated fund to support zonal security operations and capacity building. A monthly Zonal Security Coordination Meeting of Security Advisers will be institutionalised.”
It also “adopted an intelligence-sharing framework supported by modern communication equipment and surveillance technologies, enabling real-time monitoring and coordinated responses across states. To this end, the forum resolved that each member state in each zone (that is, SW, SE & SS) shall jointly invest in equipment that will allow effective communication across state lines.”
States were advised to work closely with traditional rulers to oversee land use and curb indiscriminate allocations that could heighten security threats. The Forum further committed to tackling illegal mining, which has inflicted severe environmental harm, through coordinated efforts with environmental agencies and traditional institutions.
Member states were also urged to offer direct funding and logistical backing to their traditional councils to strengthentheir contributions to governance, security and peacebuilding.
Also, in a “strong demonstration of unity, the Forum and the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council jointly passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in recognition of his leadership and unwavering commitment to national stability and reform.”
The Forum condemned efforts to spread division, misinformation and fear in the region, assuring citizens that Southern Nigeria remains united, cohesive and committed to harmonious coexistence across religious and cultural boundaries. It vowed to maintain a unified stance, protect the South’s shared interests and continue partnering with the Federal Government to advance peace, stability and national development.
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