Former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has raised alarm over the deepening insecurity across Nigeria, warning that recent developments threaten national unity and stability.
In a post on his official X handle on Monday, the former Minister of Defence said it is the primary responsibility of the Federal Government—working with state and local authorities—to confront the escalating security crisis. However, he expressed concern that the current administration appears overpowered by the scale and complexity of the situation.
Kwankwaso criticised the growing dependence on state-backed vigilante organisations, arguing that many lack adequate training and professionalism.
According to him, “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 warned that such decentralised security measures have contributed to the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, worsening the national security landscape.
The former Kano governor also condemned the rise in ethnic profiling and unlawful targeting of citizens in different regions, describing the trend as dangerous and destabilising.
“In recent times, we have witnessed disturbing reports of individuals, particularly from a part of the country, being arbitrarily targeted, harassed, arrested, and, in some cases, tortured in other parts of the country,” he stated.
Kwankwaso added that the growing harassment and hate speech on social media—often fuelled by ethnic and religious sentiments—poses a serious threat to national cohesion.
He further raised alarm over political figures allegedly establishing private militia groups, warning that such actions could aggravate Nigeria’s already fragile peace.
Calling for urgent intervention, he urged the Federal Government to “act decisively and without delay” to reverse the dangerous trajectory.
“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.
Kwankwaso also congratulated General Christopher Musa (retd.) on his appointment as Minister of Defence, expressing confidence that the former Chief of Defence Staff has the experience and capability to restore stability—provided he receives strong political backing.
