By Our Reporter
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has directed security personnel across the country not to hesitate in confronting armed bandits and terrorists, declaring that any operative who failed to neutralise criminals under the excuse of awaiting orders would be treated as collaborating with them.
The minister gave the directive on Wednesday 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.
"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 said.
General Musa described the intervention by the Sokoto State Government as a demonstration of strategic leadership, and commended 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.
The minister, 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, noting 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.
He, however, cautioned security personnel against neglecting the newly acquired assets, saying that they must be made to serve the purpose for which they were procured.
"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," Musa said.
The Defense Minister, while urging officers to remain professional, 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 said.
Earlier, Governor Aliyu said the latest intervention formed part of his administration’s sustained investment in security since assuming office.
According to him, the state government procured 62 bulletproof vehicles, Buffalo Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), 320 motorcycles, 3,200 security gadgets, 2,000 bulletproof helmets and vests, 200 night-vision goggles, thermal devices and other tactical equipment, adding: "These vehicles and security equipment cost the Sokoto State Government ₦27.127 billion."
"In all, we are distributing 62 vehicles and the security equipment highlighted above. These vehicles and security equipment cost the Sokoto State Government ₦27.127 billion," he said.
Governor Aliyu disclosed that the state had previously spent over ₦36 billion on security interventions, including operational vehicles, motorcycles, military and police barracks, the establishment of the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps and support for the Nigerian Air Force Base.
The governor also revealed that his administration had forwarded a bill to the State House of Assembly seeking stiffer penalties for informants aiding bandits, saying that it would be signed into law without any further delay once it is passed by the parliament.
"The bill is currently before the State House of Assembly and once it is passed, we will sign it without any further delay," he said.
Governor Aliyu added that the government had approved the establishment of a Command and Control Centre to enhance surveillance and coordination of security operations across the state.
Aliyu appealed to residents to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies, stressing that defeating banditry requires a collective effort.
"Security is a collective responsibility and together we shall overcome every security challenge confronting our state," he said.
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