President Bola Tinubu has asked the National Assembly to review Nigeria’s laws to enable states that require state police to establish them.

The president made the call in a statement on Wednesday as insecurity deepened across the country following recent mass abductions in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger states.

He urged lawmakers to begin immediate legislative action to allow states willing to operate state police to do so.

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

In the statement, Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency and directed security agencies to expand recruitment.

“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,” he stated.

He warned states against placing boarding schools in isolated areas without adequate protection. The president also advised religious institutions in vulnerable areas to seek consistent police security.

The former Lagos State governor appealed for unity and public vigilance during what he described as a critical period for national security.

“Fellow Compatriots, I urge you not to give in to fear and never succumb to despair, the Nigerian leader wrote.

He directed the police to recruit 20,000 additional officers, raising the ongoing intake to 50,000.

Tinubu authorised the use of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as temporary police training depots. He also ordered officers withdrawn from VIP duties to undergo crash retraining for deployment to high-risk areas.

He said the agency had been instructed to recruit more personnel to secure difficult terrain.

Tinubu praised security agencies for rescuing 24 abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi and 38 worshippers in Kwara. He pledged continued efforts to free the students kidnapped in Niger State.

He reaffirmed his support for state-run security outfits already operating in some regions and sympathised with families affected by attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe and Kwara, and honoured fallen troops, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.

The renewed push for state policing comes amid worsening insecurity nationwide.

Many governors, security experts and regional blocs back the proposal but opponents warn that state police could be abused by governors and may worsen funding and coordination challenges.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has maintained that strengthening the existing Nigeria Police Force (NPF) remains the safer option, noting that Nigeria is not sufficiently mature for state police.

Since last Monday, armed groups have executed major school and community abductions in three northern states.

Gunmen kidnapped 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi and killed a senior staff member. In Niger State, attackers seized 303 pupils and 12 teachers at St Mary’s Catholic School, although about 50 pupils later escaped.

In Kwara, 38 worshippers were abducted from Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun, Eruku, during a midweek service. They were released on Sunday. Another attack in Isapa, Kwara, saw 11 residents, including children and pregnant women, abducted.

Several states, including Katsina, Taraba, Plateau, Kebbi and Bauchi, have since closed schools. The Federal Government also shut 47 Unity Colleges nationwide.

Tinubu ordered full security cordons and expanded Air Force surveillance across the affected states. The 24 schoolgirls abducted in Maga, Kebbi, were freed on Tuesday. The President has directed security agencies to intensify rescue operations for the remaining victims.