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Two years ago, Vice President Kashim Shettima publicly dismissed the idea that Nigeria’s insurgency and banditry could be resolved through military might.
Speaking in Kano in July 2023, Shettima insisted that a purely military approach would amount to “an endless war of attrition,” stressing instead the need for what he called a blend of kinetic and non-kinetic measures.
At the time, Shettima revealed that Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration was preparing to unveil what he described as the Pulaku solution a government initiative meant to address the grievances of Fulani communities, poverty, and social exclusion, which he identified as the root causes of insecurity in the North-West.
“The crises we have in the North-West, further associated with poverty and social exclusion, is something the President is determined to confront,” Shettima told journalists at Kano Government House.
“Unless we want to engage in an endless war of attrition, there cannot be a military solution to the crises in the North-West. There has to be a kinetic and non-kinetic solution.” he added
Shettima assured that under Tinubu’s government Nigerians would soon witness the rollout of the promised initiative aimed at ending insurgency, banditry, and poverty.
Two years later, however, insecurity in the North has deepened. Despite repeated assurances from government officials, communities in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Niger, Plato and Kwara States continue to suffer relentless attacks from bandits and terrorists.
Thousands have been killed, kidnapped, or displaced, with many residents questioning the whereabouts of the much-touted “Pulaku solution.”
While the Defence Headquarters regularly reports gains including the killing of terrorists, rescue of hostages, and destruction of illegal refineries, critics argue that such tactical victories have not translated into long-term stability or peace.
Instead, insurgency and banditry remain persistent, raising doubts over the government’s non-military strategies that were once heralded as the answer to Nigeria’s security crisis.
The flashback to Shettima’s 2023 remarks underscores the gap between promises and reality, and the continuing struggle of Nigeria’s leadership to find a lasting solution to terrorism and insecurity in the North.
