Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide state of emergency on security and authorized additional recruitment for the armed forces and police, according to a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga.
"Today, in light of the developing security emergency, I have made the decision to declare a nationwide state of emergency on security and have ordered additional recruitment into the armed forces," the presidential statement read. "The police will recruit an additional 20,000 personnel, bringing their total strength to 50,000. Training will be conducted at National Youth Service Corps camps. Security details protecting senior officials will also be deployed to frontline operations. The Department of Security Services has been directed to mobilize forest guards to eliminate all terrorists and bandits from these areas."
The president announced that churches and mosques will be regularly searched by security personnel, particularly before prayer services. State authorities have been instructed to relocate schools to more secure locations.
The declaration follows a series of terrorist attacks on educational institutions in recent days. On November 25, authorities secured the release of 24 schoolgirls taken hostage during an attack on Maga village in Kebbi State on November 17. In a separate incident overnight November 20-21, over 300 students were abducted in Papiri, Niger State, with 50 of them returning home on November 23.
In response to the escalating attacks on schools, President Tinubu has canceled all foreign trips. Authorities in 10 of Nigeria's 36 states have closed educational institutions for security reasons, with additional army and police units deployed to affected areas.
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Based on materials from TASS