FG losing grip on insecurity – Kwankwaso

The 2023 presidential candidate for the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has raised concerns that the Federal Government is gradually losing its grip on the fight against the increasing insecurity afflicting the nation.

Kwankwaso stated in a post on his verified Facebook account that the Federal Government is overwhelmed by the current state of insecurity in the country. This is evident from its tacit approval for state governments to create and deploy vigilante security groups with minimal or no professional training, while simultaneously allowing individuals to form their own militias.

The former two-term governor warned that this situation poses a significant threat to the already fragile peace in the country.

He remarked, "Regrettably, it seems the Federal Government is overwhelmed. This is clear from its tacit approval for state governments to create and deploy vigilante security groups with little or no professional training. Although such a policy may be well-intentioned, it has inadvertently led to the uncontrolled spread of small arms and light weapons throughout the nation.

"Most concerning is that individuals have begun to exploit this situation by forming their own militias, as evidenced by the actions of certain political figures. This further jeopardizes the fragile peace in our nation."

Kwankwaso also voiced his apprehension regarding what he termed a growing trend of ethnic and regional profiling, referencing reports of citizens, particularly those from specific regions, facing harassment, arbitrary arrests, and, in some instances, torture in other areas of the country.

He stated, "Equally troubling is the increasing trend of ethnic and regional profiling of Nigerian citizens within their own nation. Recently, we have seen alarming reports of individuals, especially from one region, being arbitrarily targeted, harassed, arrested, and in some cases tortured in other parts of the country.

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

He urged the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive measures to reverse the “dangerous developments” before they spiral out of control.

Kwankwaso, who once chaired the Committee on the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, said he found the ease with which arms flow across the country “deeply alarming and unacceptable”.

He extended his congratulations to General Christopher Gwabin Musa on his recent appointment as Minister of Defence, expressing his belief that, with sufficient political will, the new minister possesses the necessary competence and experience to aid in restoring security and stability within the nation.