Shettima: Military Solutions Can’t Solve Nation’s Insurgency

*Says Tinubu’ll soon unveil initiative on security, poverty

*Troops kill 22 terrorists, destroy 22 illegal refineries

Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano. 

Vice President Kashim Shettima has explained that military solutions cannot end insecurity and Insurgency in the country, especially in the north. Shettima stated this yesterday at the Kano Government House while responding to questions from newsmen. 

The vice president disclosed, at another forum, that the President Bola Tinubu government would in the coming weeks unveil an initiative to address insurgency and poverty, among other challenges facing Nigerians, especially those living in the north.

Shettima’s comments came as the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), weekend, said 22 terrorists were killed across theatres of operations in the north, while 240 insurgents and their families surrendered to troops in the region within one week.

The troops also destroyed 22 illegal refining sites discovered in the Niger Delta within the same period.

Answering questions from journalists at the Kano Government House, Shettima said, “Unless we want to engage in an endless war of attrition, there cannot be a military solution to the crises in the North-west.”

He said Tinubu was determined to redefine the meaning and concept of modern governance, which would address the root causes of banditry and insurgency in the country. 

Shettima stated, “The president is determined to redefine the meaning and concept of modern governance. And the crises we have in the North-west, further associated with poverty and social exclusion, is something that the president is determined to confront. 

“In the coming weeks, he is coming up and is going to unveil the ‘Fulaku’ solution. 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. 

“President Bola Tinubu, in the next couple of weeks, will unveil the ‘Fulaku’ solution, which will address the grievances and the social exclusion of our Fulani cousins in the North-west. He was addressing the root causes of all the banditry and insurgency in the region,” 

Shettima, who was accompanied by Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin to commiserate with the government and people of Kano State over the demise of elder statesman, Alhaji Abubakar  Galadanci, noted, “The social exclusion is also something that the president is determined to frontally confront and in the coming weeks he is going to unveil the Fulaku solution.”

The vice president was received by Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, before proceeding to the residence of the Emir of Bichi, HRH, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, where he commiserated with him on the passing away of the late Imam Galadanci, and expressed Tinubu’s condolences. 

From the Emir of Bichi’s residence, the Shettima proceeded to the family compound of the late Alhaji Abubakar Imam Galadanci, where he was received by Professor Shehu Galadanci and Air Vice Marshal Nura Imam (rtd), on behalf of the extended family. 

Meanwhile, a statement by the Directorate of Defence Media Operation (DDMO), said 67 terrorists, economic saboteurs, their informants and logistics suppliers were also apprehended within the period.

It stated that over 120 kidnapped civilians were rescued while caches of arms and ammunition were also intercepted across all theatres of operations in the country.

The statement said, “Due to the offensive by the troops against the Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists, a total of 240 terrorists and their families, comprising 24 adult males, 79 adult females and 134 children, surrendered at different locations within the theatre of operation with five AK47 rifles, 13 AK47 rifle magazines, 36 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one dane gun, one hand grenade, amongst other item.” 

The statement disclosed that within the week in review, troops recovered nine AK47 rifles, 20 AK47 rifle magazines, 104 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, two dane guns and one hand grenade. 

Others include 15 pairs of new slippers, three gallons of premium motor spirit, four cartons of dry fish, food stuff, clothing, three motorcycles, four bicycles and the sum of N15, 200.

It said troops also arrested 13 suspected criminals and rescued 117 kidnapped civilians, adding that all recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued civilians were handed over to the relevant authorities for further action while the arrested terrorists and surrendered Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families were profiled and documented for further action.

Relatedly, troops of Operation Delta Safe uncovered and destroyed 22 illegal refining sites, 15 wooden boats, 34 storage tanks, 96 ovens and 16 dugout pits.

Troops equally recovered 367,200 litres of crude oil, 27,150 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 220 assorted rounds of ammunition, six calibres of weapons, three vehicles and 10 motorcycles. They also nabbed 43 suspected criminals within the period.

The statement further revealed that a total of N202 million worth of petroleum products was denied oil thieves within the period under review.