Defence Minister Sends Strong Message To Soldiers Over Counter-Bandit Operations

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has said that any security officer who fails to neutralise criminals under the guise of waiting for orders would be treated as one collaborating with them.

The report said Musa made the remark on Wednesday in Sokoto State during the commissioning of 62 operational vehicles and security equipment worth ₦27.127 billion, procured by Sokoto State Government to boost security operations across the state.

Musa urged the security personnel not to be afraid to face the bandits and terrorists with guns.

Musa, while praising Governor Ahmed Aliyu for consistently providing security agencies with logistics and operational equipment, said the intervention was a display of strategic leadership.

He said, “Once you are deployed, don’t wait for any order from anybody to shoot any bandit or any terrorist.

“Whoever does not shoot or kill any bandit or terrorist in the name of waiting for an order, we will treat you like a bandit.

“This event is not only about unveiling security assets. “It was a demonstration of strategic leadership, responsible governance and our collective resolve to strengthen the security architecture of Sokoto State and Nigeria as a whole,” the Governor said.

The Minister also said the newly commissioned armoured vehicles and tactical equipment would enhance operational mobility, intelligence gathering and force protection in the fight against banditry, terrorism and kidnapping.

He also cautioned security personnel against neglecting the newly acquired assets, Musa added.

Musa urged the security personnel to be professional but also to remember to protect innocent citizens even as they take the fight to the criminals.

“This equipment cost billions of naira,” he added. We don’t want to give them away and then you throw them away or abuse them. They should be used for the purpose for which they were bought.

“Thou shalt not go there and extort or molest the people. “You’re there to protect them and to work with them to rid your area of bandits and terrorists.”