Kwankwaso blames weak political will for insecurity

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A former Kano State Governor and ex-Minister of Defence, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has attributed Nigeria’s persistent insecurity to a lack of political will rather than incapacity on the part of the armed forces.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday while serving as the Special Guest of Honour at the passing-out parade of 2,000 newly recruited personnel of the Kano State Neighbourhood Watch Corps.

Arewa PUNCH reports that the event was organised by the Kano State Government to formally induct the operatives into community-based security operations across the state.

A statement posted on his verified official Facebook page on Tuesday quoted the former governor saying Nigeria’s military had repeatedly demonstrated its competence in international peacekeeping missions but had not been adequately empowered to decisively deal with banditry and terrorism at home.

“Our problem as a country is not the absence of capable soldiers. Nigerian troops have proven themselves in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur and other international missions,” Kwankwaso said.

“With the right equipment, training and firm leadership, they can defeat the criminal elements occupying ungoverned spaces in Nigeria.”

He called on the federal government to take decisive actions against bandits and terror groups, stressing the need for massive investment in recruitment, modern equipment and continuous retraining of security personnel.

Kwankwaso also congratulated the newly commissioned Neighbourhood Watch officers and commended the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for prioritising grassroots security.

“I congratulate these young men and women who have taken up the responsibility of protecting their communities. They must discharge their duties with dedication, discipline and professionalism,” he said.

The former defence minister further advised the Federal Government to consider absorbing trained youths from state-backed security outfits in the North-West and other regions into the national armed forces.

According to him, Nigeria requires no fewer than 1 million military personnel to effectively secure its population and vast territory.

“Our security challenges demand bold decisions. Integrating trained youths from local security initiatives into the armed forces will strengthen national capacity and help restore safety across the country,” he added.

Kwankwaso’s remarks came during the graduation ceremony of the Kano State Neighbourhood Watch Corps, which the state government says is aimed at complementing conventional security agencies in tackling crime at the community level.

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