Kwankwaso seeks overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture

Former Kano State Governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Sen.Rabiu Kwankwaso, has called for an urgent overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture amid rising anxieties over persistent banditry, kidnappings, and communal violence.

Kwankwaso gave the reaction in a statement on Tuesday shared on X, warning that insecurity is worsening across the country despite huge investments in the sector.

He said the escalating wave of insecurity across several states had left many Nigerians living in fear, with banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, communal clashes and armed robbery becoming frequent occurrences.

“I have noted with grave concern the escalating wave of insecurity that has engulfed our beloved nation. Once again, Nigeria is bleeding profusely,” he said.

The former governor listed states including Zamfara, Borno, Sokoto, Katsina, Kwara and Oyo among areas affected by the violence, lamenting that many citizens could no longer “sleep with both eyes closed.”

He also expressed concern over what he described as the growing boldness of criminal groups.

“What is most alarming is the audacity of these criminals, who now brazenly hold live sessions on social media to taunt the authorities and terrorise the public.

“This is totally unacceptable and not befitting of a sovereign nation like ours,” he said.

Drawing from his experience as a former governor and defence minister, Kwankwaso argued that the security challenges confronting the country were not impossible to overcome.

“As someone who has served this country at various levels, including as Governor of Kano State and Minister of Defence, where we confronted and significantly reduced security challenges through decisive leadership and community engagement, I remain convinced that insecurity is not insurmountable,” he said.

According to him, the country’s challenge is not a lack of resources but insufficient political will to decisively confront insecurity.

He said the current strategy had failed to deliver the desired results despite substantial budgetary allocations to the security sector, adding that innocent lives continued to be lost while thousands of families had been displaced.

Kwankwaso called for improved welfare and motivation for security personnel, stronger intelligence gathering, enhanced community policing and measures aimed at addressing the root causes of insecurity.

He also urged the government to invest more in education, healthcare, infrastructure, electricity supply, agriculture, skills acquisition and job creation, arguing that such interventions would help reduce poverty, unemployment and other factors fueling insecurity.

“We must immediately prioritise the welfare and motivation of our gallant security personnel, strengthen intelligence gathering, enhance community policing, and, most crucially, tackle the root causes of this crisis; poverty, mass unemployment, and poor governance,” he said.

The remarks come amid renewed concerns over insecurity in several parts of the country, with attacks by armed groups, kidnappings and communal violence continuing to pose challenges to public safety and economic activities.