Former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has warned that the Federal Government appears overwhelmed by the worsening insecurity across the country, describing current trends as a grave threat to Nigeria’s unity and stability.
Kwankwaso, a former Minister of Defence, said the scale, frequency and complexity of violent crimes — ranging from banditry and kidnappings to terrorism and communal conflicts — suggest that the country’s security architecture is buckling under pressure. He argued that the rising dependence on vigilante groups and ad-hoc security formations has unintentionally fueled the spread of small arms and light weapons nationwide.
According to him, many of these groups operate with little or no professional training, creating opportunities for abuse, criminal infiltration and the emergence of private militias. He warned that some political actors are exploiting the insecurity to arm loyalists under the guise of self-defence, further deepening the crisis.
The NNPP leader also raised concerns about reports of ethnic and regional profiling in security operations, saying cases of arbitrary arrests, harassment and torture risk undermining national cohesion and trust in state institutions. He cautioned that injustice and perceived bias could worsen tensions in an already fragile environment.
Kwankwaso urged the Federal Government to act decisively by strengthening the military and police, tightening arms control, and reviewing policies that encourage the use of unregulated armed groups. He stressed that allowing insecurity to fester could have catastrophic consequences for Nigeria’s democracy, economy and social stability.
His comments come amid persistent attacks across several regions of the country, with communities repeatedly complaining of slow response times, overstretched security forces and rising fear among citizens. Calls for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security strategy have grown louder in recent months, as public confidence in the ability of the state to protect lives and property continues to wane.