Former Kano State Governor and Defence Minister, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has raised alarm over what he described as worsening insecurity across Nigeria, warning that the country is “bleeding profusely” amid rising attacks by bandits, kidnappers and terrorists.
In a statement posted on his official X handle on Tuesday, June 9, Kwankwaso said the scale of violence across different regions shows that citizens are increasingly living in fear and uncertainty.
“I have noted with grave concern the escalating wave of insecurity that has engulfed our beloved nation. Once again, Nigeria is bleeding profusely.
“From Zamfara, Borno, Sokoto, Katsina, and Kwara to Oyo and several other parts of the country, our citizens can no longer sleep with both eyes closed,” he said.
He listed banditry, kidnapping for ransom, terrorism, communal clashes and armed robbery as daily threats facing Nigerians, adding that criminals have become emboldened in their operations.
“Banditry, kidnapping for ransom, terrorism, communal clashes, and armed robbery have tragically become daily occurrences. 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 stated.
Kwankwaso argued that Nigeria’s insecurity is not due to lack of resources but a failure of political will and leadership commitment.
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“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. What we lack today is not resources, but the requisite political will and sincerity to confront this menace head-on,” he said.
He criticised the government’s current security strategy, insisting that despite heavy spending, the crisis has continued to worsen.
“The current approach has clearly failed. Despite massive budgetary allocations to the security sector, the situation continues to deteriorate rapidly.
“Innocent lives are being lost daily, families are displaced in their thousands, and our economy is suffocating under the heavy weight of fear and instability,” Kwankwaso said.
He called for a complete restructuring of Nigeria’s security system, alongside investments in key sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure and agriculture.
“We cannot continue on this dangerous path. Nigeria’s security architecture requires an urgent and comprehensive overhaul,” he warned.
Kwankwaso also stressed the need to improve welfare for security personnel, boost intelligence gathering and strengthen community policing, while addressing poverty, unemployment and governance failures.
He added that tackling the root causes of insecurity would require “massive investment in quality education, skills acquisition, and job creation for our teeming youth,” alongside measures to ensure food security and national stability.