Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on military commanders to maintain coordinated pressure on terrorist groups in the North-East while strengthening intelligence gathering, technology, and civil-military cooperation to sustain security gains in the region.
Shettima stated this in Abuja during the public presentation of “Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency Operations in North East Nigeria” Volumes 1 and 2, authored by retired Major General Ibrahim Yusuf.
Represented by the Special Adviser to the President on General Duties, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, the Vice President stressed that although notable progress had been made in weakening terrorist groups, such achievements should not be mistaken for total victory.
He urged military commanders to remain vigilant, adaptive, and committed to combating insecurity, noting that Nigeria’s security challenges require a comprehensive approach involving the military, intelligence agencies, policymakers, and civilians.
According to Shettima, the Nigerian Armed Forces have continued to show resilience and professionalism in addressing complex asymmetric threats.
“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,” he said.
The Vice President described the North-East crisis as both a security concern and a humanitarian tragedy, emphasizing the need for sustained vigilance against violent extremism.
He also noted that counterterrorism operations should be understood through the experiences of frontline personnel, whose insights provide valuable lessons for future strategies and policies.
He added that the book would help correct misinformation and improve public understanding of the complexity of counterinsurgency efforts in the North-East.
