The National Leader of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rafiu Kwankwaso has said that the federal government is overwhelmed with the escalating security challenges in the country.
The former Governor of Kano state in a statement issued Monday said this was evident in its tacit endorsement to allow state governments to establish and deploy vigilante security outfits with little or no professional training.
TheHintsNews reports that while some state governments have established security outfits to tackle the insecurity in their domain, vigilante groups are not new to the system.
Every part of the country has a form of vigilante groups even before the problem of terrorism started in the country.
Kwankwaso noted: “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.
“The recent developments in our country have filled me with deep personal concern about the state of our national affairs.
“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.
“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.”
Kwankwaso stressed that such policy, however well-intentioned, has inadvertently facilitated the uncontrolled proliferation of small arms and light weapons across the country.
He added: “Worst of all, individuals have begun taking advantage of this by setting up their militia, like we are seeing in the actions of some political elements. Such action further threatens the fragile peace in our country.”
The former Minister of Defence said of equal concern is the rising wave of ethnic and regional profiling of Nigerian citizens within their own country.
He noted that in recent times, the country has witnessed disturbing reports of individuals, particularly from a part of the country, being arbitrarily targeted, harassed, arrested, and in some cases tortured in other parts of the country.
This, he said, was compounded by the growing harassment, intimidation, and hate speech on social media, often fueled by ethnic and religious jingoism. These trends pose a grave threat to national unity and cohesion.
Kwankwaso was of the opinion that the federal government must act decisively and without delay to reverse these dangerous developments before they spiral further out of control.
“As a former Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Committee on the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, I find the current ease with which arms are being circulated across the country deeply alarming and unacceptable,” Kwankwaso said.
While congratulating General Christopher Musa on his well-deserved appointment as Minister of Defence, he expressed confidence that, with the necessary political will and support, he possesses the competence and experience to make a significant difference in restoring security and stability to the nation.