Yemi Obafemi
The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in 2023 election, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has criticised the Federal Government over its approval for state governments to establish and deploy vigilante security outfits, warning that the move is worsening insecurity across the country.
Kwankwaso urged the Federal Government to act swiftly and decisively to prevent the situation from deteriorating further, adding that the ease with which arms circulate in the country is “deeply alarming and unacceptable.”
In a statement released on his X handle, Kwankwaso said the policy, though seemingly well-intentioned, has led to the “uncontrolled proliferation of small arms and light weapons” due to inadequate training and oversight of such groups.
“Having served within the system for many years, I am aware that the primary responsibility for tackling the escalating insecurity in Nigeria rests with the Federal Government, in collaboration with state and local governments as well as other critical stakeholders,” he wrote.
“Regrettably, it appears the Federal Government is overwhelmed. This is evident in its tacit endorsement to allow state governments to establish and deploy vigilante security outfits with little or no professional training. Such a policy… has inadvertently facilitated the uncontrolled proliferation of small arms and light weapons across the country.”
Kwankwaso warned that some individuals and political actors are now exploiting the situation to set up private militias, describing the development as a direct threat to Nigeria’s already fragile peace.
He also condemned what he described as the growing trend of ethnic and regional profiling, stressing that Nigerians are increasingly being targeted, harassed, and even tortured based on their ethnic background.
“In recent times, we have witnessed disturbing reports of individuals, particularly from a part of the country, being arbitrarily targeted, harassed, arrested, and in some cases tortured.
“This is compounded by the growing harassment, intimidation, and hate speech on social media,” he said, noting that such behaviour poses “a grave threat to national unity and cohesion.”
He concluded by congratulating newly appointed Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, expressing confidence in his competence and ability to restore stability if given the required political support.
