Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has issued a stern warning to security personnel battling terrorism and banditry across the country, cautioning that any officer who hesitates to act against terrorists for want of an order risks being treated as one himself.
Advertisements
Speaking Wednesday at the commissioning of 62 armoured vehicles and over 300 motorcycles procured by the Sokoto State Government for security agencies, Musa insisted that troops must act decisively against criminal elements, provided they operate within the rules of engagement.
Advertisements
“Anybody who refuses to shoot a terrorist in the name of waiting for an order, we will treat him like a bandit,” he said.
The minister, however, was equally firm in cautioning security personnel against harassing or extorting members of the public, reminding them that their mandate was to protect law-abiding citizens, not intimidate them. He called on troops to uphold professionalism, discipline and accountability in the discharge of their duties.
Musa described the newly commissioned vehicles and motorcycles as a significant boost to Sokoto State’s security architecture, noting that the assets would enhance the mobility and operational effectiveness of security agencies responding to banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
He observed that Nigeria’s security challenges continue to evolve, with terrorists and other criminal actors adapting their tactics and exploiting difficult terrain to their advantage. In response, he said, security agencies must match that evolution with improved mobility, intelligence-led operations and stronger inter-agency coordination.
Advertisements
