Insecurity: Nigeria Is Bleeding Profusely – Kwankwaso

The 2027 Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice-Presidential Candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has lamented the rising tide of insecurity in Nigeria, calling on the government to demonstrate the political will to curb the challenges.

Kwankwaso, in a statement on Tuesday released via his 𝕏 Account, said the security challenges in Zamfara, Borno, Sokoto, Katsina, Kwara, Oyo and several other parts of the country are a testament to the fact that the country is bleeding.

Naija News reports that the former Governor of Kano State observed that the growing cases of banditry, kidnapping for ransom, terrorism, communal clashes, and armed robbery across several communities are a grave concern.

While submitting that the situation has become unacceptable, Kwankwaso said the challenges are not insurmountable if the government demonstrates the political will to act.

According to him, the country’s leaders must tackle the root causes of the crisis, which he identified as poverty, mass unemployment, and poor governance, through massive investment in quality education, skills acquisition, and job creation for the youth.

The former Minister of Defence said Nigeria’s security architecture requires an urgent and comprehensive overhaul.

He added that the government must prioritise the welfare and motivation of security personnel, strengthen intelligence gathering, and enhance community policing.

Below is the full statement.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“We cannot continue on this dangerous path. Nigeria’s security architecture requires an urgent and comprehensive overhaul.

“Additionally, to safeguard our socioeconomic wellbeing, the government must prioritise the provision of quality education, modern infrastructure, accessible healthcare, reliable electricity supply, and essential agricultural inputs. This approach will strengthen local food production and reduce over-reliance on imports for food security.

“We must immediately prioritise the welfare and motivation of our gallant security personnel, strengthen intelligence gathering, enhance community policing, and, most crucially, tackle the root causes of this crisis; poverty, mass unemployment, and poor governance through massive investment in quality education, skills acquisition, and job creation for our teeming youth.”