Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), don warn officers and men of the Armed Forces and other security agencies say make dem no dey delay action against bandits and terrorists. He declare say any officer wey hesitate to engage criminals while dey wait for orders, dem go treat am as accomplice.
The minister give the warning on Wednesday during distribution of armoured vehicles to security agencies for Sokoto State. Na there he reaffirm Federal Government commitment to strengthen the country security architecture.
Addressing security personnel, Musa say troops wey dem deploy to operational areas get responsibility to confront criminal elements immediately without waiting for further directives. “I want to reiterate this to all members of the Armed Forces and Security Forces. Once you dey deployed, no wait for any order from anybody to shoot any bandit or any terrorist,” he talk.
“I want to make that very loud and clear. Anybody wey refuse to shoot or kill any bandit or terrorist for the name of waiting for order, we go treat you like bandit,” he add.
The former Chief of Defence Staff stress say the weapons and equipment wey dem provide to security agencies dem buy am with public funds, so dem must use am effectively to protect lives and property. “The Federal Government, state government, local government, and indeed Nigerian taxpayers money na wetin dem use buy this equipment. Dem buy am so that you fit take down anybody wey dey try to cause mayhem wherever he dey,” Musa note.
“So na your responsibility to ensure say you take am down, not to allow am take you down,” he add.
However, the minister note say military hardware alone no fit guarantee lasting peace. He emphasize say professionalism, discipline, intelligence-led operations, and effective coordination among security agencies remain essential to defeat insecurity.
He also call for greater collaboration between security agencies and local communities, saying intelligence wey residents dey provide na critical because criminal groups often dey operate within communities. According to am, lasting security require support of traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, and public. He add say criminals no get opportunity to thrive when citizens and security institutions dey work together.
General Musa further urge security agencies to maintain the newly distributed armoured vehicles, noting say dem cost billions of naira and dem acquire am at significant public expense. “This equipment cost billions of naira wey dem fit use for other aspects, but dem dedicate am to do this. I want to charge you say we must maintain this equipment very well,” he maintain.
“We go come after one year and see how this equipment dey look because we no want to hand dem over and then you throw dem away or mishandle dem. Dem must serve the purpose wey dem bring dem for,” he add.
Reassuring residents of Sokoto State and Nigerians at large, the minister say Federal Government remain committed to securing every part of the country through improved welfare for security personnel, enhanced intelligence gathering, investment in modern technology, stronger inter-agency cooperation, and provision of adequate operational resources.
