Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigeria's military commanders to sustain coordinated pressure on terrorist groups while strengthening intelligence and civil-military cooperation. Speaking at the National Defence College in Abuja, Shettima cautioned that recent progress against insurgency must not be mistaken for final victory. He emphasised that Nigeria's security challenges demand a whole-of-society approach, with resilience and vigilance remaining key to counterterrorism efforts.
Book Launch at National Defence College
Shettima spoke during the launch of a book titled Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency Operations in North East Nigeria, authored by retired Major-General Ibrahim Yusuf. Yusuf is a former Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force and ex-Commandant of the Nigeria Defence Academy. The vice president, represented by Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, Special Adviser to the President on General Duties, urged commanders to remain vigilant and adaptive in their strategies.
Call for Comprehensive Approach
Shettima highlighted that Nigeria's security challenges require a comprehensive approach involving the military, intelligence services, policymakers, and civilians. He praised the Nigerian Armed Forces for their resilience and professionalism in tackling complex asymmetric threats. He stated, "What Nigeria has endured in recent years is not evidence of a nation overwhelmed by danger, but a reflection of the resilience and courage of Nigerians who continue to stand firm in defence of a shared destiny."
The vice president noted that the North-East crisis is both a security challenge and a humanitarian tragedy, underscoring the need for sustained vigilance against violent extremism. He emphasised that counterterrorism operations must be understood through the lived experiences of frontline personnel, whose testimonies provide critical lessons for future policy and strategy.
Context of Ongoing Efforts
Shettima's remarks come amid ongoing operations against terrorist groups in the North-East. The military has made significant gains, but the vice president warned against complacency. He called for enhanced intelligence gathering and stronger cooperation between the military and civilian populations to consolidate gains and prevent resurgence of extremist activities.
In a related development, Shettima earlier submitted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's nomination forms to the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee in Abuja, marking the formal start of Tinubu's re-election bid. The event was attended by top political figures, including state governors and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
