From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa, has directed security personnel engaged in counter-insurgency operations to immediately engage and neutralise bandits and terrorists without waiting for further authorisation.
The minister gave the directive on Wednesday in Sokoto during the commissioning of 62 operational vehicles and other security equipment worth N27.127 billion procured by the Sokoto State Government to strengthen the fight against banditry and other violent crimes.
He warned that any operative who fails to confront armed criminals under the pretext of awaiting orders would be treated as an accomplice.
“Once you are deployed, do not wait for any order from anybody to shoot any bandit or terrorist.
“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,” Musa said.
The minister described the commissioning as a demonstration of the growing partnership between the Federal Government and state governments in tackling Nigeria’s security challenges.
“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 commended Ahmed Aliyu for his administration’s sustained investment in security, noting that the latest donation was part of a series of interventions by the state government.
“This is not the first time he is donating vehicles to security forces and other government agencies. He has continued to do that over and over, and we are ever grateful for that,” he said.
According to the minister, the newly commissioned armoured vehicles and tactical equipment will enhance operational mobility, intelligence gathering and force protection, enabling security agencies to respond more effectively to banditry, terrorism and kidnapping.
He stressed that security remains a shared responsibility and urged residents to support security agencies with credible intelligence.
“Security cannot be achieved by government alone. It requires trust, vigilance, timely intelligence and sustained cooperation between the security agencies and the communities because the bandits and terrorists live within these communities,” he said.
Musa also reminded security personnel that the equipment represented a huge public investment and should be properly maintained.
“This equipment costs billions of naira that could have been used for other aspects of development.
“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 added.
He, however, cautioned personnel to remain professional in the discharge of their duties.
“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 said.
Earlier, Governor Ahmed Aliyu said the Sokoto State Government procured the vehicles and security equipment at a cost of N27.127 billion as part of efforts to strengthen security across the state.
He added that the assets would be deployed to identified flashpoints to support ongoing operations against bandits and other criminal elements.
