Defense and Security
UPDATED: Nigeria’s Security Has Failed, Says Kwankwaso
…Calls for Urgent Overhaul of Nigeria’s Security Architecture
Former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation across Nigeria, warning that the nation is facing an alarming wave of violence and criminality.
In a statement on Monday via his official facebook handle, Kwankwaso lamented that insecurity has continued to spread across several states, including Zamfara, Borno, Sokoto, Katsina, Kwara, and Oyo, leaving many citizens living in fear and uncertainty.
According to him, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, terrorism, communal clashes, and armed robbery have become recurring challenges, while criminal groups have grown increasingly emboldened, even using social media platforms to taunt security agencies and instill fear among the public.
”This is totally unacceptable and not befitting of a sovereign nation like ours,” he stated.
Drawing from his experience as a former Governor of Kano State and Minister of Defence, Kwankwaso maintained that Nigeria’s security challenges are not insurmountable. He argued that the country possesses adequate resources to tackle insecurity but lacks the necessary political will and commitment to address the problem effectively.
The former Defence Minister criticized the current security strategy, describing it as ineffective despite substantial government spending on the sector. He noted that lives are being lost daily, thousands of families have been displaced, and economic activities continue to suffer as a result of widespread insecurity.
Kwankwaso called for an immediate and comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s security architecture, emphasizing the need to improve the welfare and morale of security personnel, strengthen intelligence gathering, and deepen community policing initiatives.
He also urged the government to address the underlying causes of insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, and poor governance, through sustained investment in quality education, skills acquisition, and job creation for young people.
Beyond security reforms, Kwankwaso stressed the importance of improving socioeconomic conditions by providing quality education, modern infrastructure, accessible healthcare, reliable electricity, and agricultural support for farmers.
“Such measures would not only enhance national security but also boost food production and reduce the country’s dependence on imports,” he added
He further urged the government to act decisively, warning that Nigeria cannot afford to continue on its current path of growing insecurity and instability.