Nigeria's President Tinubu declares ‘nationwide security emergency’ amid surge in mass kidnappings
Abuja: In a move to address the escalating wave of mass kidnappings and armed violence across the country, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu declared a "nationwide security emergency" on Wednesday.
The president further announced a security plan that will see the recruitment of thousands of additional personnel for both the military and police forces. “This is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas,” Tinubu said in a statement, as cited by news agency AFP.
Kidnappers have recently targeted various groups across Nigeria, abducting schoolchildren, worshippers, and women in separate incidents. Within a single week, at least 25 schoolgirls, 38 worshippers, 315 schoolchildren and teachers, 13 young women and girls near a farm, and 10 women and children were kidnapped.
While dozens of victims have been rescued or managed to escape, more than 265 children and their teachers remain missing after being seized from a boarding school in Niger state last week, reported AFP.
“In view of the emerging security situation, I have decided to declare a nationwide security emergency and order additional recruitment into the Armed Forces,” Tinubu added.
The president has ordered the recruitment of 20,000 additional police officers, which will increase the police force's strength to 50,000.
The government has also approved the use of National Youth Service Corps camps as training facilities. Furthermore, Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of officers from VIP guard duties for redeployment to conflict zones after crash retraining.
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US rules out use of nuclear weapons against Iran
Washington DC: The White House has reportedly ruled out the use of nuclear weapons against Iran, even as uncertainty continues over ongoing peace negotiations and a deadline set by US President Donald Trump approaches.
Issues bout a possible escalation had increased after US Vice President JD Vance said that the United States has “tools in our toolkit that we so far haven’t decided to use” in dealing with Iran.
His remarks came amid rising tensions and ahead of a deadline linked to peace efforts.
The situation has attracted attention as Trump warned Iran that its “whole civilization will die tonight tonight” if an agreement is not reached by Tuesday at 8 pm.
This statement led to speculation about the possibility of extreme military measures, including a nuclear strike.
Following Vance’s comments, the White House issued a clarification distancing itself from such interpretations. In a post on X, it said, "Literally nothing @VP said here 'implies' this, you absolute buffoons." In a later statement, it added that “only the president knows” what action will be taken regarding Iran.
Literally nothing @VP said here "implies" this, you absolute buffoons https://t.co/7JU3wXMaWX
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 7, 2026
