(DDM) – A prominent civil society coalition, the Northern Citizens Investigative Platform (NCIP), has openly criticized Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Federal Government over what it described as inadequate responses to rising killings, abductions, and displacements in Northern Nigeria.
The condemnation follows a recent spate of violent attacks across several communities in Borno State, including Ngoshe, Konduga, Marte, Jakana, and Mainok, which have left residents traumatized and displaced.
Speaking on behalf of NCIP chapters from all 19 Northern states, Comrade IG Wala demanded a transparent, time-bound action plan to restore security in the region. He stressed that repeated press statements and public reassurances have done little to stop the bloodshed.
“For over a decade, the people of the Northeast have known Kashim Shettima,” the statement read. “We knew him as a governor during the Boko Haram insurgency and now as Vice President. Yet, the madness of insurgency in our region continues unabated.”
The group emphasized that the North requires actionable strategies to achieve collective peace, rather than mere rhetoric. According to the NCIP, Shettima, as the highest-ranking Northern officer in government, must provide leadership that goes beyond ceremonial statements.
“The time for deploring attacks is over,” the statement continued. “We demand a transparent, time-bound report on the tactical assets being deployed and accountability for why the security architecture continues to fail despite intimate knowledge of these terrains.”
Political analysts note that the Northeast has been disproportionately affected by insurgency and armed banditry for years. Efforts to contain these threats have been criticized as slow and reactive, leaving local communities vulnerable.
NCIP’s critique underscores growing public frustration in the North, where citizens feel that governmental promises of protection have not matched realities on the ground. The organization also urged clear communication regarding deployment of security forces, intelligence operations, and the strategies planned to secure affected communities.
The coalition warned that without demonstrable results, continued insecurity could further erode public trust in both regional and federal leadership. They called for decisive measures to protect civilians and ensure the return of displaced families.
“The North knows you as a son, Vice President Shettima,” the statement concluded. “But until that knowledge translates into the safety of our mothers and the return of our children, your leadership is nothing more than a name without a benefit.”
Observers say the NCIP’s intervention adds pressure on the federal administration to not only increase security measures but also improve transparency and reporting mechanisms to reassure citizens and prevent further destabilization.
The demand for action from Vice President Shettima comes at a time when Northern communities continue to bear the brunt of insurgency, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated and effective countermeasures.
This public call also reflects wider national debates on accountability, governance, and the role of high-ranking officials in safeguarding citizens in conflict-prone regions.
