Shettima says criminals have no tribe or religion

Kashim Shettima urged youth leaders in Jos to reject ethnic profiling and inherited grievances as he called for inter-communal dialogue and joint security initiatives.

Speaking at a youth peace summit in Jos, Vice President Kashim Shettima delivered a charge against ethnic profiling, declaring that “criminals have no tribe or religion”. Shettima urged youth leaders across the Middle Belt to reject inherited grievances, build inter-communal dialogue, and support joint security initiatives aimed at restoring stability across agricultural communities.

The Vice President’s comments come as the Middle Belt continues to grapple with farmer-herder conflicts and communal violence. Ethnic profiling has often exacerbated tensions, with communities blaming entire groups for the actions of a few. Shettima’s message is a call for unity and a rejection of divisive narratives.

This echoes the 2019 peace initiatives in the Middle Belt, which also sought to build inter-communal dialogue. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a recognition that peace requires community engagement.

The winners: the communities of the Middle Belt, who may benefit from reduced tensions; and the Nigerian government, which has articulated a message of unity. The losers: those who profit from ethnic division; and the Nigerian public, who must hope that the message translates into action.

Bottom Line: Shettima says criminals have no tribe or religion. The call is for unity. The question is whether the message will be heard or ignored.