Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, has criticized the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for its handling of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity. Speaking in Kano on Tuesday, Kwankwaso accused the government of lacking the political will to tackle the issue.
During the unveiling of 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network, Kwankwaso urged President Tinubu to take decisive action as Commander-in-Chief to address banditry and other security challenges. He praised the Nigerian military as “one of the most gallant in the world,” citing its participation in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones. However, he noted that the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.
Kwankwaso, a former Minister of Defence, emphasized that the government must provide clear direction, support, and political will to enable the military to effectively combat insecurity. He pointed out that many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while perpetrators remain at large, and called on the government to apologize for its laxity in addressing the issue.
The senator stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces have historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to improve the current security situation. If elected president in 2027, Kwankwaso pledged to recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security. He asserted that any government that fails to protect its citizens has failed in its primary responsibility.
Kwankwaso also advocated for the integration of community-based security initiatives, such as the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and enhance intelligence-driven operations against criminals. This move, he believes, would complement the efforts of the military and other security agencies in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges. The senator’s comments highlight the need for a more effective and comprehensive approach to tackling insecurity in Nigeria, and his proposals are likely to be closely watched in the coming months.
