Nigeria has declared a nationwide security emergency following a dramatic increase in kidnappings, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced Wednesday. The move comes in response to the abduction of over 350 individuals in the past ten days, prompting immediate action from the government.
The presidential declaration authorizes the immediate recruitment of additional law enforcement personnel. The police force is set to enlist 20,000 new officers, significantly bolstering their ranks to a total of 50,000. This surge in manpower aims to provide a more robust security presence across the country.
President Tinubu also stated that the Nigerian Intelligence Service has been granted the authority to deploy all pre-trained forest guards to combat terrorists and bandits hiding within the nation’s forests. Further recruitment for forest patrols is also underway, demonstrating a commitment to securing vulnerable areas.
In a separate measure, police officers previously assigned to protect prominent figures have been reassigned to core policing duties. This redeployment addresses concerns that a significant portion of the police force was dedicated to protecting politicians and their families, rather than serving the general public. These officers will undergo intensive retraining to enhance their capabilities and ensure effective policing in high-risk regions.
The government is also urging religious institutions to proactively seek protection from the police and other security forces, particularly during gatherings for prayer. This measure aims to safeguard mosques and churches, especially in areas prone to security threats.
In positive news, President Tinubu announced the rescue of students who were abducted last week in Kebbi State. The 24 girls, kidnapped from a government secondary school on November 17th, are reported to be safe and in good condition. Details surrounding the rescue operation and the identity of the abductors have not yet been released.
Nigeria has recently experienced a surge in mass kidnappings. Last Friday, armed assailants attacked a Catholic school in Niger State, abducting over 300 students and staff, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced security measures.
