The 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has warned that the Federal Government is steadily losing control in the fight against the rising insecurity plaguing the nation.
In a post on his verified Facebook handle, Kwankwaso asserted that the government appears overwhelmed by the current security situation, pointing to what he described as a tacit acceptance of state governments establishing and deploying vigilante security outfits with minimal or no professional training.
He also raised concern over growing efforts by individuals to set up private militia groups.
The former two-term governor cautioned that these developments pose significant danger and could further destabilise the country’s already fragile peace.
He wrote, “Regrettably, it appears the Federal Government is overwhelmed. This is evident in its tacit endorsement allowing state governments to establish and deploy vigilante security outfits with little or no professional training.
“Such a policy, however well-intentioned, has inadvertently facilitated the uncontrolled proliferation of small arms and light weapons across the country.
“Worse still, individuals have begun taking advantage of this by setting up their own militia, as we are witnessing in the actions of some political elements. Such actions further threaten the fragile peace in our country.”
Kwankwaso also expressed deep concern over what he described as a rising wave of ethnic and regional profiling. He cited recent reports of citizens, particularly those from certain regions, being harassed, arbitrarily arrested, and in some cases tortured in other parts of Nigeria.
He added, “Of equal concern is the rising wave of ethnic and regional profiling of Nigerian citizens within their own country. In recent times, we have witnessed disturbing reports of individuals being targeted, harassed, arrested, and sometimes tortured because of where they come from.
“This is compounded by 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.”
The former governor urged the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive action to reverse these “dangerous developments” before they spiral out of control.
Kwankwaso, who once chaired the Committee on the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, described the ease with which arms continue to flow across the country as “deeply alarming and unacceptable.”
He also felicitated General Christopher Gwabin Musa on his appointment as Minister of Defence, expressing confidence that, with adequate political will, the new minister possesses the competence and experience to help restore security and stability in Nigeria.
