Concerns over funding challenges, as well as fears of infiltration into the security agencies, have intensified following President Bola Tinubu’s order for mass recruitment into the nation’s security forces.

Analysts say Tinubu’s emergency declaration marks a significant moment for the nation’s security system, but its effectiveness depends on how recruitment, training, and funding are executed.

A wave of unease rippled through Nigeria’s security and policy community on Wednesday after President Bola Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency and authorised large-scale recruitment across the Armed Forces, Police, and Department of State Services (DSS).

This came as lawmakers issued parallel demands for the enlistment of 100,000 additional soldiers to confront rising insecurity.

The presidential directive described by insiders as the most sweeping in over a decade mandated the police to immediately recruit 20,000 additional officers, raising the intake to 50,000.

The military and DSS were also empowered to conduct accelerated recruitment to fortify security operations in high-risk areas.

The announcement followed renewed attacks on schools and rural communities.

On Monday in Kwara State, at least 11 residents, including a pregnant woman, were reportedly kidnapped in Isapa, a neighbouring community in Ekiti Local Government Area.

This is coming barely one week after 38 worshippers of the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, Eruku, were abducted and later released.

Just in the past week, multiple kidnappings and attacks have rattled the nation.

On Monday, at least 25 girls were reportedly abducted in Kebbi State, while another incident in Niger State saw about 315 persons kidnapped by armed bandits, of which only 50 have been rescued in Niger.

The earlier abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the killing of a vice principal sparked nationwide outrage and prompted a Senate resolution for massive reinforcement of security agencies.

In a statement released from the State House on Wednesday, Tinubu defended the decision as unavoidable given Nigeria’s deteriorating security landscape.

“This is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas,” he said.

The President authorised the temporary conversion of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps into police training depots and ordered police officers withdrawn from VIP protection duties to be redeployed after “crash training.”

The DSS was further instructed to deploy trained forest guards and recruit more personnel to flush out terrorists hiding in forested regions.

“There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” Tinubu warned.

Previously, the Senate condemned the Kebbi school attack as “a stain on national conscience,” calling for accelerated recruitment of 100,000 soldiers and a full investigation into the utilisation of funds under the World Bank supported Safe School Initiative.

Senator Abdullahi Yahaya (Kebbi North) described the abduction as “a slap on the face of our nation,” while former Senate President Ahmad Lawan warned that Nigeria risked “losing an entire generation” if attacks on schools continue.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio traced the incident to a worsening pattern of school-targeted violence, warning that the rising frequency of attacks had drawn global concern.

Experts raise concerns

However, Security professionals cautioned that while mass recruitment may be necessary to address mounting threats, rolling out thousands of new officers without proportional funding, infrastructure, and strategic planning could weaken rather than strengthen the country’s security architecture.

Hassan Salisu, a military strategy expert, warned that Nigeria lacks the financial framework to support such massive recruitment.

“You cannot recruit 20,000 police officers and tens of thousands of soldiers without clear funding lines.

“The budget does not currently support expanded salaries, training, equipment, or housing. Recruitment without resources is a road to failure,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria’s insecurity is driven more by poor logistics, weak intelligence, and obsolete equipment than manpower shortages, urging the government to present a clear funding roadmap.

Paul Madaki, another Security expert warned that hurriedly converting NYSC camps into training centres could lead to poorly prepared officers.

“The NYSC facilities are not designed for paramilitary training. You cannot turn corps lodges into police colleges overnight. It risks producing poorly prepared officers, which will worsen the security problem,” he said.

He stressed that police recruits require six to nine months of structured training not rushed crash programmes.

Madaki also expressed concern about redeploying VIP protection officers:

“Many have been away from core policing for years. They must undergo comprehensive retraining, not two-week refresher classes,” he said.

Desmond Osajie, a Security expert also stated that the Senate’s call for 100,000 new soldiers worsens existing welfare gaps, citing Senator Ali Ndume’s criticism of the deplorable conditions faced by troops.

Ndume recently described the current N5,000 daily feeding allowance and N100,000 monthly salary for soldiers as “unconscionable.”

said, “You cannot expand the army when current troops feel abandoned and underpaid. Mass recruitment into a demoralised force will only multiply dissatisfaction and attrition.”

He called for urgent reforms in housing, medical support, field logistics, and prompt payment of allowances.

“You cannot fight terrorism with hungry, exhausted, poorly equipped soldiers,” he added.

DR Andy Ugochukwu, a Counter-insurgency researcher, said that recruitment alone will not match the sophistication of armed groups.

“These bandits and terrorists use drones, encrypted radio, and motorcycles that beat patrol response times.

“Forest guards armed only with basic rifles are not enough,” he cautioned.

He called for investment in aerial surveillance, communications intelligence, and technology-driven mapping of forest routes.

“Without technology, recruitment numbers will not change much,” he said.

he expert further warned that rapid, large-scale recruitment carries the risk of infiltration by terror groups.

Ugochukwu referenced previous disclosures by Deputy Speaker Idris Wase, who revealed that Boko Haram members had once penetrated recruitment lists.

“We’ve seen this before. If you’re recruiting tens of thousands in a rush, terrorists will exploit the loopholes,” Dr. Ugochukwu warned.

He added, “This is a moment of truth for Nigeria’s security architecture. Expansion alone does not solve insecurity. Strategy, funding, and discipline do.”

He urged stricter biometric vetting, background checks, and psychological screening during enlistment.

Both the President and Senate stressed that recent attacks on schools, mosques, and churches require enhanced protective measures.

Tinubu urged states to avoid establishing boarding schools in isolated areas without adequate security and advised religious institutions to stay in close contact with security agencies. (BusinessDay)

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