President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency, ordering a massive expansion of the military and police forces, but this declaration has been overshadowed by condemnation from lawmakers over how his administration is handling the abduction crisis.
The President’s order on Wednesday authorized the recruitment of 50,000 new police officers, the immediate deployment of intelligence personnel (DSS forest guards), and a push for the legalisation of state police. However, members of the Senate and House of Representatives openly criticized the Federal Government for allegedly negotiating with bandits to secure the release of recent hostages in Kwara and Kebbi States.
The declaration follows a surge in mass abductions, including the kidnapping of over 300 pupils in Niger State and dozens of victims in Kebbi and Kwara.
The Nigeria Police Force is authorized to recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total recruitment to 50,000. The Army is also directed to enlist more personnel, and withdrawn VIP guards are to be redeployed to high-risk areas after crash training.
While Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga defended the negotiations, stating they were necessary to avoid collateral damage and denied any ransom was paid, lawmakers warned that the approach would embolden criminals and worsen the crisis.
Senators, including Adams Oshiomhole and Enyinnaya Abaribe, demanded an investigation into reports that troops were withdrawn from the Kebbi school hours before the bandit attack, arguing that the person responsible should be charged.
Who ordered the military to withdraw? That person should be tried for terrorism. The Senate should adopt this demand among its resolutions – Oshiomhole
The President officially urged the National Assembly to begin reviewing laws to allow states to establish state police formations to tackle local security challenges.
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