Bombs, Bullets Know No Religion, Says Shettima
Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for national unity in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, stressing that violent attacks do not differentiate between religion, ethnicity, or social class.
Speaking on Thursday at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting on regional development organised by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser, in Abuja, Shettima said the country’s growing insecurity demands a collective and coordinated response from all Nigerians. Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, the Vice President stated that when weapons are used by those threatening the nation’s peace, they do not distinguish between individuals, farmers, or other civilians. “Bombs, bullets know no religion,” Shettima said, warning against attempts to frame insecurity through religious or ethnic lenses. He added that the present administration met significant security challenges upon assumption of office, prompting it to adopt a comprehensive approach focused on both immediate threats and long-term peace and stability. According to him, the federal government is prioritising collaboration among security agencies, intelligence sharing, and community-based interventions to address the root causes of violence and restore public confidence. He urged Nigerians to remain united and to work together with security agencies to ensure peace, saying violence does not discriminate and therefore requires a unified national response. The Vice President’s comments come amid renewed security concerns in several parts of the country, particularly the North and Middle Belt regions. Civil society groups and security analysts have described Shettima’s remarks as timely, noting that unity, trust, and collaboration between government and citizens remain crucial to defeating terrorism and banditry. They, however, emphasised the need for sustained action, including improved local policing, economic empowerment, and addressing grievances that fuel insecurity across communities.
