Vice President Kashim Shettima has vowed that the Federal Government will end insurgency in the North-East with “decisive and overwhelming force,” following recent deadly attacks in Borno State.
In a statement on Saturday released by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said the government would not be intimidated by abductions in Ngoshe and coordinated assaults on military formations.
“We remain one nation, tied to a common destiny. The sanctity of human life is non-negotiable. This madness will be brought to an end, not with empty words, but with the decisive and overwhelming force of the Nigerian State,” he declared.
The Vice President added that additional tactical assets and intelligence-driven reinforcements are being deployed to affected areas.
“The events of the past few days are a painful reminder of the shadow that persists, but let it be known: we choose light over shadow, and hope over despair. Our difference as a nation is the distance between the ruin of anarchy and the promise of order,” Shettima said.
He also revealed that President Bola Tinubu had been briefed and had directed “swift and total mobilisation of our security architecture.”
“The Federal Government will not tolerate any sanctuary for those who seek to displace our people or occupy an inch of Nigerian soil,” Shettima stated.
The recent attacks targeted military formations in Konduga, Marte, Jakana, and Mainok, with insurgents briefly overrunning some positions before reinforcements arrived. In Ngoshe, residents were abducted.
“We are not just fighting a war. We are defending the very soul of our humanity against those who preach a toxic rhetoric of hate, and we will not be cowed by their gory acts,” he said.
Shettima assured Nigerians that perpetrators would face the full weight of the law and promised that abducted citizens would be safely reunited with their families.
“Our hearts bleed for the families and the brave soldiers who paid the supreme price in the line of duty. This administration will not rest until abducted citizens safely reunite with their families,” he added.
He commended the resilience of Borno State residents under Governor Babagana Zulum and praised the gallantry of troops on the frontlines.
Earlier, President Tinubu had called Governor Zulum to express sympathy and solidarity over the attacks. During an interfaith breaking of fast with service chiefs on Friday, the President assured the military that Nigeria would prevail over terrorism.
“I appreciate all the people facing the challenges of terrorism and banditry. We will win. Nigeria will prevail,” Tinubu said.
