Abuja, Nigeria – Former Kano State Governor and national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has criticized the current security strategy of the federal government, calling for immediate and far-reaching reforms to the nation’s security architecture.
Speaking at a public forum over the weekend, Kwankwaso expressed deep concern over the worsening insecurity across the country, despite what he described as “huge and sustained investments” in defense and law enforcement.
“We have committed enormous resources to security in recent years—billions of naira in budgets, hardware procurement, and operations—yet the outcomes on the ground remain unacceptable,” Kwankwaso said. “Banditry, kidnapping, insurgency, and communal clashes continue to claim lives and disrupt livelihoods. This tells us clearly that the problem is not just about funding; it is about strategy, coordination, and leadership.”
The former presidential candidate pointed to a lack of synergy between security agencies, inadequate intelligence-driven operations, and the absence of community-level engagement as critical gaps in the current approach. He argued that without urgent reforms, Nigeria risks further deterioration of its security environment, which in turn threatens agriculture, education, trade, and foreign investment.
Kwankwaso called on the National Assembly to fast-track pending security sector reform bills and urged the executive to initiate a comprehensive audit of all security expenditures over the past five years. He also proposed the establishment of state-level policing as a long-term solution, a position he has consistently advocated.
“We cannot continue with a centralized police system that is overstretched and often disconnected from local realities. State policing, with proper safeguards, would allow communities to respond faster to threats,” he added.
The NNPP leader further advised the federal government to prioritize technology, training, and welfare for security personnel, noting that poorly motivated officers cannot effectively combat sophisticated criminal networks.
In response, the Ministry of Police Affairs reiterated the government’s commitment to ongoing reforms, including the ongoing implementation of a community policing framework. However, critics have argued that progress remains slow.
Security analysts have echoed Kwankwaso’s concerns, noting that Nigeria’s security challenges have evolved rapidly while institutional responses have often remained rigid. Many agree that political will, inter-agency cooperation, and accountability are key to meaningful change.
As the 2027 general elections draw nearer, security is expected to remain a dominant campaign issue, with opposition figures like Kwankwaso seeking to position themselves as proponents of a more effective and accountable security governance model.
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