Kwankwaso Urges FG to Absorb State Security Groups Into Military to Tackle Insecurity

Former Kano State governor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has urged the Federal Government to formally integrate state-backed security outfits into Nigeria’s security framework as a way of boosting troop strength and confronting the country’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso made the call on Tuesday at the inauguration of 2,000 members of the Kano State Neighbourhood Watch Corps. According to him, Nigeria needs a much larger and better-supported military to effectively deal with security threats across the country.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) said Nigeria should have at least one million military personnel, insisting that the major challenge is a lack of political will at the federal level.

“What we are lacking is political will from our leaders, especially the Commander-in-Chief,” he said. “He should ensure that our troops are properly trained and retrained, fully equipped, and provided with the right arms and ammunition.”

Kwankwaso argued that existing security outfits in both northern and southern states should be absorbed into the military to strengthen national security and curb what he described as the growing wave of violence across the country.

“I advise the Federal Government to do whatever it takes to absorb these corps in states like Sokoto, Katsina, Kano and Zamfara. This will significantly increase the number of security personnel we have,” he said. “We need not less than one million men and women in uniform to secure this country.”

He also said the Federal Government owes Nigerians an apology, stressing that protecting lives and property remains its primary responsibility.

In addition, Kwankwaso addressed the security situation surrounding the Nassarawa Palace, urging the Kano State Commissioner of Police to withdraw officers currently guarding embattled Emir Aminu Bayero and redeploy them to areas where residents need protection.

“I advise the Commissioner of Police in Kano State to withdraw all police officers guarding the Nassarawa cemetery and redeploy them to protect the people of Kano,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf charged the newly inaugurated Neighbourhood Watch Corps to work closely with conventional security agencies, especially in border communities facing persistent threats.

“Our conventional security agencies need partners who understand the terrain, and that is where the neighbourhood watch plays a critical role,” Yusuf said. “No single agency can secure Kano on its own.”

The governor warned the corps against overlapping the duties of established security agencies, stressing that cooperation and coordination are key to success.

“Your effectiveness will depend on how well you complement, not duplicate, the efforts of conventional security agencies,” he said.

Governor Yusuf also revealed that Kano State is engaging neighbouring states to tackle cross-border criminal activities, noting that insecurity does not respect boundaries.

“We are working with sister states to ensure criminals have no safe haven or escape routes. Together, we will respond to emerging security challenges,” he added.