FG Overwhelmed By Worsening Insecurity – Kwankwaso

Former Kano State Governor and presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 elections, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said the Federal Government appears overwhelmed by the worsening insecurity across the country, warning that recent trends pose serious threats to national unity and stability.

Kwankwaso, a former Minister of Defence, expressed his “deep personal concern” in a post on his verified Facebook page, citing what he described as the government’s diminishing ability to contain banditry, terrorism, ethnic tensions and the unchecked proliferation of arms—challenges he believes have now exceeded the capacity of the current security architecture.

According to him, the clearest indication of the government’s struggle is its tacit approval for state governments to establish vigilante groups despite their limited formal training, a development he said has contributed to the rising circulation of small arms and light weapons nationwide.

“Regrettably, it appears the Federal Government is overwhelmed. This is evident in its tacit endorsement to allow state governments to establish and deploy vigilante security outfits with little or no professional training,” he said in the statement.

Kwankwaso further cautioned that the situation is being exploited by political actors who he alleged are establishing personal militias, thereby exacerbating Nigeria’s already fragile security situation.

“Worst of all, individuals have begun taking advantage of this by setting up their militia, as we are seeing in the actions of some political elements. Such action further threatens the fragile peace in our country,” he added.

He also raised concern over what he described as a troubling rise in ethnic and regional profiling, saying Nigerians—especially from certain parts of the country—are increasingly subjected to arbitrary arrests, harassment and even torture in various locations.

“This is compounded by the growing harassment, intimidation and hate speech on social media, often fuelled by ethnic and religious jingoism. These trends pose a grave threat to national unity and cohesion,” he said.

Kwankwaso urged the Federal Government to act “decisively and without delay” to halt what he called a dangerous drift before the situation deteriorates further.

“As a former Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Committee on the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, I find the current ease with which arms are being circulated across the country deeply alarming and unacceptable,” he said.

He, however, congratulated General Christopher Gwabin Musa on his appointment as Minister of Defence and expressed confidence in his capacity to deliver results if adequately supported.

“I am confident that, with the necessary political will and support, he possesses the competence and experience to make a significant difference in restoring security and stability to our nation,” Kwankwaso added.(Daily trust)