“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.”
Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has warned military personnel that any soldier who hesitates to kill terrorists or bandits while waiting for superior orders, would be treated as a terrorist.
He gave the warning on Wednesday, 8 July, while speaking during a handover of newly acquired military equipment in Sokoto State, where he declared that troops have a duty to kill terrorists, bandits, or any security threats on sight immediately they are deployed without waiting for superior orders.
The Minister stressed that the Federal Government (FG) has invested billions of Naira in procuring the equipment to strengthen the armed forces and expected both the equipment and personnel to be effectively deployed in the fight against insecurity.
He urged the troops to properly maintain the newly acquired equipment, warning that the government would assess how they had been managed after one year.
“This equipment cost billions of Naira that could have been used for other aspects, but have been dedicated to do this,” Musa said.
“I want to charge you that we must maintain this equipment very well. We will come after a year and see how this equipment are looking, because 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. They must serve the purpose they were brought in,” he added.
The Minister also issued a stern directive to members of the armed forces and other security agencies, insisting that terrorists and bandits should be engaged without hesitation.
“I want to reiterate 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.”
According to him, the weapons and equipment were purchased with public funds and must be used to protect Nigerians from violent criminals.
“The Federal Government, the State Government, the Local Government, and indeed, Nigerians’ taxpayer money is what was used to buy this equipment,” Musa noted.
“They were bought so that you can take anybody who is trying to cause mayhem wherever he is, it is your responsibility to ensure that you take him down, not to allow him take you down,” he stressed.
The Minister further reassured residents of Sokoto State and Nigerians that the FG remained committed to tackling insecurity and protecting lives and property.
“I also wish to assure the people of Sokoto State and indeed, all Nigerians that the Federal Government remains unwavering in its commitment to securing every part of our country,” he said.
The Minister’s remarks come as Nigeria continues to grapple with worsening insecurity across several regions of the country.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Gen. Musa.
