The president also directed the relevant authorities to recruit more personnel into the army and police.

This followed heightened se­curity breaches occasioned by terrorists in parts of the country, especially Kwara, Kebbi and Ni­ger states.

Recall that the president initially ordered recruitment of 30,000 police officers but in­creased it by an additional 20,000 on Wednesday.

Tinubu also advised state gov­ernments to rethink the idea of establishing boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security.

He said Mosques and Church­es should constantly seek police and other security protection when they gather for prayers, es­pecially in vulnerable areas.

Tinubu in his personal words stated, “Today, in view of 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.

“Although I had previously ap­proved the nationwide upgrade of police training facilities, the police authorities are, by this statement, authorised to use various Nation­al Youth Service Corps camps as training depots.

“The officers being withdrawn from VIP guard duties should un­dergo crash training to debrief them and deliver more efficient police services when deployed to security-challenged areas of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.

“My fellow Nigerians, this is a national emergency, and 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.

“Let me take this moment to commend our 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. I charge you 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.

“In addition, 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.

“I call on the National Assem­bly to begin reviewing our laws to allow states that require state police to establish them.

“States should rethink es­tablishing boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security. Mosques and churches should constantly seek police and other security protection when they gather for prayers, especially in vulnerable areas.

“Our administration created the Livestock Ministry to address the persistent clashes between herders and farmers. I call on all herder associations to take advantage of it, end open grazing and surrender illegal weapons. Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony. The Feder­al Government, in collaboration with the states, will work with you to solve this problem, once and for all.

“I sympathise with the fami­lies who have lost their loved ones in recent attacks on soft targets in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara states. I also pay tribute to our brave soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.

“Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness. This ad­ministration has the courage and determination to keep the country safe and ensure our citizens live in peace.

“Fellow compatriots, I urge you not to give in to fear and nev­er succumb to despair. Let’s stand together in purpose and strength to defend our freedom and values. Our administration will continue to guarantee peaceful co-existence and preserve our union. I urge all Nigerians to remain calm and vig­ilant. Report suspicious activities. Cooperate with security agencies. We are in this fight together, and together we shall win.

“May God continue to bless Ni­geria and keep our armed forces safe”.

Tinubu Nominates Ambassadors For US, UK, France

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has nominated non-ca­reer ambassadors for the United States, the United Kingdom and France.

The information was made known on Wednesday via Mr. Bayo Onanuga’s X handle.

The three nominees are Am­bassador Ayodele Oke, retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are, and Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu.

The message reads in full, “President Tinubu has nominated non-career ambassadors for three countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. The postings will be finalised follow­ing Senate screening. The three nominees are Ambassador Ayo­dele Oke, retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are, and Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu.

“Ambassador Amin Moham­med Dalhatu previously served as Nigeria’s ambassador to South Korea during President Buhari’s administration, having been first appointed in 2016.

“Ambassador Ayodele Oke, an alumnus of Emory University in Atlanta, is a former Director Gen­eral of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and previously served as Nigeria’s ambassador to the Secretariat of the Common­wealth of Nations in London.

“Retired Colonel Lateef Kayo­de Are was Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) from 1999 to 2007, served as Na­tional Security Adviser in 2010, and was an officer in the Direc­torate of Military Intelligence. He graduated with First Class Honours in Psychology from the University of Ibadan in 1980”.