Tinubu Unveils Ambitious Security Plan, Pledges 78,000 New Military And Police Personnel

President Bola Tinubu has promised to reduce the cost of living and improve security across Nigeria if re-elected for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.

The president made the commitment in the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027–2031 presidential manifesto, titled From Reform to Prosperity Agenda 2027–2031, which outlines the party’s proposed priorities for the next four years.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the manifesto contains plans to recruit an additional 28,000 military personnel and 50,000 police officers to strengthen the country’s security architecture and intensify efforts against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

The APC leadership is scheduled to officially unveil the document at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

Tinubu assured Nigerians that his proposed security reforms would guarantee greater protection in homes, workplaces, schools, farms and commercial centres, while allowing citizens to live, work and travel without fear.

The president also promised to strengthen the Armed Forces and other security agencies, improve intelligence gathering and deploy modern technology to prevent and combat criminal activities across the country.

Under the proposed security agenda, the administration plans to complete the establishment and equipping of four new Army divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City. It also intends to recruit and train the 28,000 additional military personnel previously approved and publicly disclose their deployment.

The manifesto further proposes sustained intelligence-driven military operations against insurgent and kidnapping networks, with independent verification of reported operational results to strengthen public confidence in security operations.

Tinubu also pledged to improve surrender, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for former combatants through standardised reporting on individuals screened, reintegrated or prosecuted. Specialised counter-terrorism units would also be established across the geopolitical zones, alongside stronger security measures around schools, markets, places of worship and major transport routes.

The document further outlines plans to expand peace-building initiatives, trauma support and deradicalisation programmes, while facilitating the safe return and resettlement of internally displaced persons to their communities.

On policing, the APC presidential candidate promised to train and deploy the proposed 50,000 new officers and expand recruitment and tactical training towards achieving a police-to-citizen ratio of one officer to 400 people.

The proposed reforms would also introduce digital record-management systems, body cameras for police officers, geographical mapping technology, improved emergency response channels and modern forensic facilities to strengthen crime detection and prevention.

The manifesto also proposes recruiting 30,150 additional personnel into the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to take over static security responsibilities currently handled by the police. The plan includes working with federal and state lawmakers, as well as governors, to develop a legal framework for accountable state and community policing.

Tinubu further pledged to establish integrated security command systems to improve intelligence gathering, identify threats early and strengthen cooperation among security agencies.

The administration also intends to encourage local defence production through technology partnerships, improve the welfare of security personnel through salary increases, better housing and working conditions, and accelerate insurance and pension payments to the families of officers who die in service.

Other proposals include rehabilitating police barracks, expanding tactical training and introducing vocational programmes and non-custodial measures aimed at reducing overcrowding in correctional facilities.

The manifesto also outlines plans to modernise fire stations, improve maritime surveillance and cybersecurity, and deploy drones to support emergency response operations.

On border security, the document proposes completing electronic surveillance coverage across all mapped border areas, noting that 31 out of 190 identified areas were yet to be covered. It also promises to extend electronic gates, advance passenger information systems and other modern border-management technologies to additional entry points.

Tinubu further pledged to strengthen border patrols, screening procedures and intelligence-sharing among relevant agencies, while targeting the enrolment of 95 per cent of Nigerians in the National Identity Database.

The proposed measures form part of the APC’s broader security and governance agenda for 2027–2031, should Tinubu secure re-election.