Defence Minister, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has ordered troops fighting terrorism and banditry to act immediately once deployed, warning that any soldier who fails to engage armed criminals while waiting for orders will be treated as an accomplice.
Musa gave the directive on Wednesday in Sokoto during the commissioning of security equipment procured by the state government.
“Once you are deployed, do not wait for any order from anybody to shoot any bandit or any terrorist,” he said. “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. This is a general order.”
The directive came as Sokoto State unveiled a N27.6 billion security intervention package, including armoured personnel carriers, tactical vehicles and 300 motorcycles, to boost operations against banditry, terrorism and kidnapping.
The assets were commissioned at the Giginya Memorial Stadium, attended by senior military officers, security chiefs, traditional rulers and residents.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu described the package as one of the state’s largest security investments yet, aimed at improving rapid response, surveillance and troop mobility in hard-to-reach areas. He said security remains the foundation for development, noting that the economy and agriculture cannot thrive amid instability.
Aliyu thanked President Bola Tinubu and the armed forces for their support, and named a major road in Sokoto after Gen. Musa in recognition of his role in the anti-insecurity fight.
Responding, Musa commended the state government’s commitment to security and called for stronger collaboration between federal, state and local governments, alongside citizen support through credible intelligence. He assured Nigerians that the military remains committed to eliminating criminal elements and restoring lasting peace nationwide.
The event ended with the formal handover of the equipment to security agencies.
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