Former Kano State Governor and ex-Minister of Defence, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has lashed out at the Federal Government over the country’s worsening insecurity, warning that criminals now have the audacity to go live on social media to mock authorities and terrorise citizens.
Kwankwaso described the current wave of banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, and communal clashes across Nigeria as “bleeding profusely,” saying citizens in Zamfara, Borno, Sokoto, Katsina, Kwara, Oyo, and other states could no longer sleep with both eyes closed.
“This is totally unacceptable and not befitting of a sovereign nation like ours,” he said, noting that despite massive budgetary allocations to the security sector, the situation continues to deteriorate rapidly, with lives lost daily and thousands of families displaced.
The former Defence Minister, who has also served as Governor of Kano State, insisted that insecurity is not insurmountable. He argued that what Nigeria lacks today is political will and sincere leadership, not resources.
“As someone who has served this country at various levels, where we confronted and significantly reduced security challenges through decisive leadership and community engagement, I remain convinced that insecurity is not insurmountable,” he said.
He also emphasised that broader socio-economic reforms are necessary to reduce vulnerability to crime. The former governor called for massive investment in education, skills acquisition, job creation, modern infrastructure, healthcare, reliable electricity, and agricultural inputs to strengthen local food production and national resilience.
Kwankwaso warned that the government’s current approach, despite its resources, is failing to curb insecurity because criminals exploit gaps in leadership and internal cohesion. He suggested that short-term measures, including the use of mercenaries, may be necessary to reclaim territories controlled by bandits and terrorists.
“The only way we can gain control in the immediate term is to get a group of people who listen to the language of money. You put the cash on the table, and they give you the results. Period,” he said, adding that such action could create space to reorganise and strengthen Nigeria’s security forces.
He concluded that unless Nigeria addresses its leadership failures, governance gaps, and structural socio-economic inequalities, insecurity will continue to escalate, leaving citizens unprotected and the state’s legitimacy weakened.
