President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced plans to recruit over 50,000 police officers and thousands of military personnel to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
Tinubu made the announcement during his Democracy Day address on Friday, while expressing optimism over the safe return of schoolchildren recently abducted in Oyo and Borno States.
The President noted that the celebration was overshadowed by the recent abductions but assured Nigerians that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the victims.
“Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return,” he said.
Tinubu stressed that security remains the foundation of democracy, warning that democratic governance cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear and instability.
“Democracy without security is not solid enough,” the President stated.
According to him, his administration has already declared a security emergency and is implementing measures aimed at strengthening the country’s security framework.
He disclosed that approval had been granted for the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers and thousands of additional military personnel to boost security operations across the country.
The President also revealed that the 2026 budget earmarked N5.41 trillion for defence and security, describing it as the largest allocation to the sector in Nigeria’s history.
“Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people,” Tinubu said.
He warned bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terrorism to surrender or face decisive action from the government.
“To bandits, kidnappers, sponsors of terror: surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian state. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians,” he warned.
Tinubu further called on Nigerians to remain united in tackling insecurity, insisting that criminality should not be viewed through ethnic or sectional lenses.
“At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united,” he said.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to restoring peace and stability, the President expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome its security challenges.
“We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation,” Tinubu added.
