….Police to recruit 50,000
….Officially bans open grazing
….Says ” Ranching is the way to go”
President Bola Tinubu has declared an emergency in the security sector, ordering more recruitment into the Nigerian Army and the Police Force to strengthen security.
In a move aimed at tackling the incessant war between farmers and herders, the President called on cattle owners to embrace ranching as the new way forward.
The President, in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday, stated that considering the “emerging security situation, I have decided to declare a nationwide security emergency and order additional recruitment into the Armed Forces”.
By this declaration, the police and the army are authorised to recruit more personnel. The police will recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total to 50,000.
The President who had previously approved the nationwide upgrade of police training facilities and recruitment of 30,000 policemen, said the police authorities can recruit additional 20,000 and by this statement, authorised to use various National Youth Service Corps camps as training depots.
The President also directed that the officers being withdrawn from VIP guard duties should undergo crash training to debrief them and deliver more efficient police services when deployed to security-challenged areas of the country.
” The DSS also has my authority to immediately deploy all the forest guards already trained to flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in our forests. The agency also has my directive to recruit more men to man the forests. There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil.
The President described the current situation as a ” national emergency”, adding that ” we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas. The times require all hands on deck. As Nigerians, we should all get involved in securing our nation.
President Tinubu however, commended the security agencies for working together to secure the release of the 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and the 38 worshippers in Kwara State.
” We will continue to sustain the efforts to rescue the remaining students of Catholic School in Niger State and other Nigerians still being held hostage.
“To the leadership and rank and file of our Armed Forces, I commend your courage and your sacrifice. This is a challenging moment for our nation and for the military institution itself.
The President charged the security operatives to “remain resolute, to restore peace across all theatres of operation, and to uphold the highest standards of discipline and integrity. There must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence. The Nigerian people are counting on you, and this administration will provide the support you need to succeed.
Business Day
