VP Shettima's unusual Maiduguri prayers

His deadpan was most idiosyncratic. Years ago, as Borno State governor, chafing under the intrusions of ex-governor Ali Modu Sherrif, he impertinently described his predecessor as 'deputy Allah' for a number of reasons, including erecting an imposing private building that overlooked and intimidated the Borno State Government House in Maiduguri. The vice president is not only well-read, he also relishes his private reputation as a connoisseur of fine phrases. Armed with great turn of phrases, notable for his coruscating remarks, and eager to regale his diverse audiences with proof of great learning, Mr Shettima has always been eager to ladle spoonfuls on those who crossed his path or wearied the society with their malfeasances.

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In his prayer rendered before the media last Tuesday, the vice president was clearly sarcastic. He gave the impression that he preferred God to reorient the insurgents who continued to plan and execute suicide bombing campaigns in the Northeast; but his main preference appeared to be his desire for God to banish them completely. He spoke of banish or vanish, and seemed completely frustrated that the state he governed for eight years, and the district he represented in the senate before he became President Tinubu's running mate in the 2023 election, continues to cost the country so much in blood and ordnance against unending insurgency.

Despite his prayers and wishes, however, Mr Shettima is unlikely to have his way against the insurgents soon. The militants not only continue to flex muscle considerably, they also repeatedly conduct embarrassing attacks that catch Nigeria's security and intelligence agencies flatfooted. The administration has not only funnelled scarce resources into sustaining counterinsurgency operations, it has watched over the years as insurgents demonstrate strength, resilience and ingenuity in prosecuting their agenda. Last Tuesday's media interaction was nevertheless probably not the place for the vice president to acknowledge the government's shortcomings in the fight against insurgency, for the administration has come up tactically and strategically short in the fight. But he could and did launch withering attacks against evil forces.

Strategically, the administration missed the point when it opted for non-kinetic measures in battling the scourge, and sometimes chaotically applying a mixture of kinetic and non-kinetic measures, including the abhorrent measure of rehabilitating so-called repentant bandits at a time their victims are languishing in Internally Displaced Peoples camps. Tactically too, the security agencies have compounded their strategic errors with locating inadequately equipped defensive postures along a thin and stretched line of forward operating bases. The initiative to attack and attack has, therefore, been mainly left to the insurgents, with Nigerian security forces doomed to responding to the attacks, instead of a war plan to retake and hold territories and unoccupied spaces.

It is okay for Mr Shettima to make wishes in the war against Boko Haram/ISWAP, and even add colourful prayers imploring God to intervene strongly in Nigeria's distress by banishing bandits and terrorists. But until Nigeria gets its tactics right, in addition to also devising the right and overarching strategy, no amount of prayers, resort to emotions, or display of self-pity will put an end to banditry in the Northwest and insurgency in the Northeast. Otherwise, the government and its officials and spokesmen will be sentenced to making empty statements or threats, and soliciting heaven to do that which has been entrusted into the hands of man to do.