Insurgency, banditry: Tinubu approves “non-kinetic” approach — VP

In its bid to fight the rising insurgency and banditry in the North, the Bola Tinubu administration has approved the “Pulaaku Initiative,” a non-kinetic solution, Vice President Kashim Shettima has said.

A non-kinetic solution refers to action against an adversary without direct conventional military action.

It comprises possibilities such as information warfare, cyber warfare, psychological operations, electromagnetic offensives, and cryptographic warfare.

Shettima disclosed this at the opening of a two-day Roundtable on Insecurity in Northern Nigeria, organised by the Coalition of Northern Groups, with the theme “Multi-Dimensional Approach to Tackling Insecurity in Northern Nigeria.

According to him, the sum of N50 billion has also been allocated to the initiative in the first instance.

Shettima, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Ibrahim Hadeija, said the now-approved initiative would begin in five states of the North, namely, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Benue, Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna states, and would “catalyse” the fortunes of the northern region.

He said: “Every part of the country is equal to the rest, and the government treats the needs of each region as critical. For the North, we are also embarking on a transformative journey to address the root causes of the challenges.

“The Pulaaku Initiative, a non-kinetic solution, has received presidential approval, with an allocation of N50bn in the first instance.

“This initiative aims to enhance living conditions and livelihoods in selected states, starting with Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Benue, Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna.

“The construction of residences, roads, schools, and other essential facilities is set to commence, promising to catalyse the fortunes of this region.”

Shettima reiterated that the government was committed to finding a lasting solution to insecurity in the nation, having allocated a larger share of the 2024 budget to insecurity, while stating that Nigerians must focus on building stronger systems and stop narratives that divided the country.