The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), on Wednesday, 8 July, 2026 directed security personnel not to hesitate in confronting armed bandits and terrorists, declaring that any operative who fails to neutralise criminals under the excuse of awaiting orders would be treated as collaborating with them.
Musa gave the charge on Wednesday, 8 July, 2026 in Sokoto State while commissioning 62 operational vehicles and security equipment worth ₦27.127 billion procured by the Sokoto State Government to strengthen security operations across the state.
“Once you are deployed, do not wait for any order from anybody to shoot any bandit or any terrorist,” the minister declared.
“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 described the intervention as a demonstration of strategic leadership and praised Governor Ahmed Aliyu for consistently supporting security agencies with logistics and operational equipment.
“This event is not merely the unveiling of security assets. It is a demonstration of strategic leadership, responsible governance and our collective determination to strengthen the security architecture of Sokoto State and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
Musa, who described himself as “a proud son of Sokoto,” said the state had remained one of the most peaceful in the country due to collaboration among the government, security agencies and residents.
He noted that the newly commissioned armoured vehicles and tactical equipment would improve operational mobility, intelligence gathering and force protection in the fight against banditry, terrorism and kidnapping.
The Minister of Defence, however, cautioned security personnel against neglecting the newly acquired assets.
“This equipment costs billions of naira. We don’t want to hand them over and then you throw them away or mishandle them. They must serve the purpose for which they were procured,” he said.
While urging officers to remain professional, Musa reminded them to protect innocent citizens while taking decisive action against criminals.
“You are not to go there and extort or harass the people. You are there to protect them and work with them to eliminate bandits and terrorists operating within your area,” he added.