Untrained Vigilante Groups Will Cause Spread Of Small Arms – Kwankwaso

Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has warned about a looming proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.

He said this against the backdrop of allowing state governments to establish and deploy vigilante security outfits with little or no professional training.

He said such a policy, regardless of how well-intentioned, would inadvertently facilitate the uncontrolled proliferation of small arms and light weapons across the country.

He also congratulated General Christopher Gwabin Musa on his appointment as minister of Defence, while warning that the federal government is struggling to contain Nigeria’s escalating insecurity.

In a statement on Monday, Kwankwaso praised the new minister, expressing confidence in his capacity to restore stability.

“Finally, I wish to sincerely congratulate General Christopher Gwabin Musa on his well-deserved appointment as Minister of Defence. I am confident 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 our nation,” he said.

He, however, said recent developments point to severe national challenges.

“The recent developments in our country have filled me with deep personal concern about the state of our national affairs,” he said.

Kwankwaso noted that his long experience in public service makes him aware of the obligations of the government in addressing insecurity.

He said the Federal Government appears to be “overwhelmed” and unable to adequately respond to the security crisis.

“This is evident in its tacit endorsement to allow state governments to establish and deploy vigilante security outfits with little or no professional training.

Such a policy, however well-intentioned, has inadvertently facilitated the uncontrolled proliferation of small arms and light weapons across the country,” he said.

Kwankwaso warned that the situation has encouraged dangerous opportunism.

“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,” he said.

He also condemned rising ethnic profiling and harassment of citizens.

“Of equal concern is the rising wave of ethnic and regional profiling of Nigerian citizens within their own country. In recent times, we have 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,” he said.

He said online hate speech has worsened national tensions.

“This is 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,” he said.

Kwankwaso urged urgent intervention from the authorities, saying, “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 former Chairman of the Committee on the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, he said the spread of weapons is especially troubling.

His comments come as Southern governors and their Northern counterparts in separate meetings announced plans to strengthen regional security.

The state governments in Southwestern Nigeria for instance have a local security outfit named Amotekun.

Several states have formally recognised vigilante groups as part of efforts to combat the rising tide of kidnappings, banditry, and killings across the country.