Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has directed troops and other security operatives to move against terrorists and armed bandits without necessarily waiting for orders from their superior officers.

He said any operative who fails to engage these criminal elements under the guise of awaiting orders from their superiors would be regarded as collaborating with them.

The minister spoke Wednesday in Sokoto during the inauguration of 62 operational vehicles and other security assets valued at N27.127 billion, procured by the Sokoto state government to boost ongoing security operations.

Addressing security personnel at the event, Musa said: “Once you are deployed, do not wait for any order from anybody to shoot any bandit or any 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.”

The minister, who commended the Sokoto state government for the initiative, described the procurement of the vehicles and tactical equipment as evidence of visionary leadership and a commitment to safeguarding lives and property.

“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 relatively peaceful because of the close collaboration between the government, security agencies and members of the public.

According to him, the newly commissioned armoured vehicles and other operational equipment would significantly improve troop mobility, intelligence gathering and the overall effectiveness of security operations against banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.

Cautioning the security personnel against abuse of the assets, he said: “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 further cautioned them against intimidating law-abiding citizens, saying, “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.”

Speaking at the event, Governor Ahmed Aliyu said the latest security investment was yet another of his administration’s sustained efforts at strengthening the capacity to tackle insecurity within the state.

The governor listed the assets procured to include; bulletproof vehicles, Buffalo Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), 320 motorcycles, 3,200 security gadgets, 2,000 bulletproof helmets and protective vests, 200 night-vision goggles, thermal imaging devices and other operational equipment.

He said: “In all, we are distributing 62 vehicles and the security equipment highlighted above. These vehicles and security equipment cost the Sokoto State Government N27.127 billion.”

The governor said since coming on board, his administration had invested more than N36 billion in security initiatives.

These, he said, include the purchase of operational vehicles and motorcycles, construction of military and police barracks, establishment of the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps and support for the Nigerian Air Force Base in the state.

Aliyu also told the gathering that a bill proposing tougher penalties for individuals providing information or assistance to bandits had been transmitted to the Sokoto state House of Assembly, adding that “The bill is currently before the State House of Assembly and once it is passed, we will sign it without any further delay.”

He also said the government had approved the establishment of a Command and Control Centre aimed at improving surveillance, intelligence sharing and coordination of security operations across the state.

The governor, therefore, pleaded with residents to keep supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence, noting that “security is a collective responsibility and together we shall overcome every security challenge confronting our state.” (Blueprint)