Former Kano State governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has raised strong concerns that the Federal Government is gradually losing its grip on the worsening security crisis across the country.
Kwankwaso, in a statement shared on his verified Facebook page, said it has become evident that the Federal Government is overwhelmed by the scale of insecurity, pointing to its silent approval of state-backed vigilante outfits with minimal professional training. According to him, such a direction—despite being well-intended—has fueled the uncontrolled spread of small arms and light weapons nationwide.
He further warned that individuals are now exploiting the situation to establish personal militias, a trend he described as dangerous and capable of destabilizing the country’s already fragile peace.
“Regrettably, it appears the Federal Government is overwhelmed,” he wrote. “Allowing state governments to deploy vigilante groups without adequate training has inadvertently enabled the proliferation of small arms. Worst of all, individuals are now setting up their militia, as seen in the actions of some political actors. This further threatens the fragile peace in our country.”
Kwankwaso also expressed deep concern over what he called a disturbing rise in ethnic and regional profiling. He noted growing reports of Nigerians—particularly those from specific regions—being harassed, arbitrarily arrested and, in some cases, tortured in other parts of the country.
“In recent times, we have witnessed individuals, especially from one part of the country, being arbitrarily targeted, harassed, arrested, and even tortured,” he stated. He added that the trend is being amplified by hate speech and ethnic-driven rhetoric on social media.
According to him, these developments pose serious threats to national unity and cohesion and must be addressed before they spiral out of control.
Kwankwaso, who previously chaired the Committee on the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, said he finds the ease with which arms circulate across Nigeria “deeply alarming and unacceptable.”
He urged the Federal Government to take decisive action to halt the dangerous drift.
The former governor also congratulated General Christopher Gwabin Musa on his appointment as Minister of Defence, expressing confidence in his ability to help restore security—provided there is strong political will backing him.
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