Kashim Shettima asserted on Friday that the government led by Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined to put an end to the wave of terror in Nigeria’s South-East.
Shettima attributed the unrest to “self-serving criminals” exploiting the security situation to advance their political agenda.
“The challenge confronting us as a community, as an Umunna, is a product of self-serving criminals who do not genuinely represent the interests of the Ndi-Igbo and Nigerians,” remarked Shettima during the unveiling of the Peace in South East Project by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu in Bende, Abia State.
These statements were made more than three weeks after Shettima advocated for the adoption of non-kinetic mechanisms to address insecurity in the South-East. Reflecting on the approach, Shettima, during a meeting with a delegation led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on December 5, expressed his approval, stating, “The approach is the most beautiful I have seen so far. We need to build bridges; there is a need for a handshake. That way, those who have not been radicalized can be captured.”
Kalu’s delegation visited the State House to seek Shettima’s approval for the PISE-P.
The South-East region of Nigeria, particularly active with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) since 2012, has witnessed a growing complexity of insecurity, marked by increased unrest and conflict.
The surge in instability is partially attributed to IPOB and its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), established to combat criminality and protect the local population.
However, ESN’s operations have resulted in clashes with Nigerian security forces, leading to casualties and heightened instability.
A report by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting revealed a daily toll of at least two lives due to violence in the South-East, with over 1,700 documented deaths between 2021 and June 2023.
In response to these challenges, the Shettima, as conveyed by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, stated that Chief Bola Tinubu is deeply concerned and committed to utilizing all available resources to eliminate the spread of falsehoods and propaganda that threaten Nigeria’s unity.
The statement, titled ‘Tinubu poised to end reign of terror in South-East—Shettima,’ underscores the Tinubu’s determination to address the prevailing issues in the region.
Delivering his speech titled, ‘Why We are all Umunna’, VP Shettima said Bola Tinubu has been concerned about the extensive economic devastation inflicted by non-state actors on this beautiful region since we took office.
“He is acutely aware that our commitment to Nigeria’s future remains incomplete as long as we grapple with the sinister operations of economic saboteurs who masquerade as advocates for Ndigbo,” he added.
“That’s why he’s determined to utilise all available resources to ensure that the peace we’re establishing in this region is not cosmetic, and we can’t guarantee it unless all of us see through the falsehoods and propaganda that have become weapons against our unity.”
Shettima argued that the terrorist groups causing havoc in the South-East did not originate from the local population or from other regions of Nigeria.
“The problem we are here to solve as a community, as an Umunna, is a creation of self-serving criminals who do not represent the interests of the Ndi-Igbo and Nigerians.
“Tinubu knows this better than all of us, and that’s why he has never held any group accountable for the infractions of law-breaking individuals who identify as their members. This, I believe, is the democracy we have all chosen,” he stated.
He disclosed that those causing unrest in the South-East are collaborating with entities pursuing a perilous political agenda. He emphasized that any efforts to undermine the achievements of the nation’s past heroes will be unsuccessful.
Nevertheless, the Shettima asserted that rectifying the situation is impossible without the government engaging with the people, whom he described as the ears, legs, and mouths of the region.
“Today, we stand united to firmly declare: enough is enough,” Shettima stated, stressing the need for a coordinated intervention to tackle insecurity in the region head-on.
He promised that the Tinubu “shall not rest until it fulfills its pledge to mitigate the crisis” it inherited.
Shettima hailed Deputy Speaker Kalu, the convener of the peace initiative, for his endeavors in establishing enduring peace in the South East. He highlighted that the event demonstrates a deep understanding that the people themselves best comprehend the experiences of their community.
Previously, the Deputy Speaker expressed that his objective in launching the PISE-P was to cultivate peace, unity, and development in the region. He emphasized that the project also sought to facilitate reconciliation among communities and individuals impacted by historical conflicts.
Additionally, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, the Chairman of the South-East Governor’s Forum, praised the Shettima for his considerable goodwill towards the people of the South-East during the event.
(PUNCH)