Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the New Nigeria Peoples Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has sharply criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s federal government for its handling of Nigeria’s escalating insecurity. Speaking in Kano on Tuesday, Kwankwaso accused the administration of lacking the political will necessary to confront the crisis.
During the unveiling of 2,000 operatives for the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network, he urged President Tinubu, as Commander‑in‑Chief, to take decisive action against banditry and other security threats. While praising the Nigerian military as “one of the most gallant in the world” and noting its contributions to international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones, Kwankwaso warned that the armed forces are not receiving adequate support to operate effectively.
A former Minister of Defence, Kwankwaso emphasized that the government must provide clear direction, sufficient resources, and genuine political commitment to enable the military to combat insecurity. He highlighted the tragic loss of innocent lives while perpetrators remain at large, calling on the government to apologize for its laxity and to equip the forces properly, noting that Nigeria’s armed forces have historically ranked among the world’s best.
Looking ahead, Kwankwaso pledged that, if elected president in 2027, he would recruit more than one million additional military personnel to bolster national security. He asserted that any government that fails to protect its citizens has failed in its primary responsibility. Additionally, he advocated for integrating community‑based initiatives such as the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network into the national security framework to boost morale and enhance intelligence‑driven operations against criminals. This integration, he believes, would complement the efforts of the military and other security agencies.
Kwankwaso’s remarks underscore the need for a more effective, comprehensive approach to Nigeria’s security challenges, and his proposals are likely to attract close scrutiny in the coming months.
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