‘Don’t wait for orders’ — Defence Minister tells troops to eliminate terrorists

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa, has directed members of the armed forces and other security agencies to engage and neutralise bandits and terrorists immediately upon deployment, warning that personnel who fail to act without waiting for orders could be treated as accomplices.

Musa gave the directive on Wednesday in Sokoto during the inauguration of 62 armoured vehicles and 320 motorcycles procured by the Sokoto State Government for deployment by security agencies operating across the state.

The security assets, valued at approximately N27.7 billion, are expected to strengthen ongoing efforts to combat banditry, terrorism and other forms of criminality in the state and the wider North-West region.

Addressing security personnel, Musa said they should not hesitate to confront armed criminals once deployed to operational areas.

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“I want to reiterate this to all members of the armed forces and security forces. Once you are deployed, do not wait for any order from anybody to shoot any bandit or any terrorist,” he said.

“I want to make that very loud and clear. Anybody who refuses to shoot or kill any bandit or terrorist in the name of waiting for an order, we will treat you like a bandit.”

The minister stressed that the equipment supplied to security agencies was purchased with public funds and must be used effectively to protect lives and property.

“The federal government, the state government, the local government and indeed Nigerian taxpayers’ money is what is used to buy these equipment,” he said.

“And they are bought so that you can take down anybody who is trying to cause mayhem wherever he is. So it is your responsibility to ensure that you take him down, not to allow him take you down.”

Musa also charged officers responsible for managing the newly acquired equipment to ensure proper maintenance, noting that the assets represent a significant financial investment.

He warned against negligence or misuse, saying the equipment must remain serviceable for its intended purpose.

“We don’t want to hand them over and then you throw them away or you mishandle them and they become bad within a few months,” he said.

“They must serve the purpose they were procured for.”

The Defence Minister further reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling insecurity across the country, stating that authorities remain resolute in their determination to secure every part of Nigeria.