The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has directed security personnel across the country to take immediate action against terrorists and armed bandits, warning that any operative who delays confronting criminals while waiting for orders could be treated as working with them.
The minister gave the directive on Wednesday in Sokoto during the commissioning of 62 operational vehicles and security equipment worth ₦27.127 billion procured by the Sokoto State Government to strengthen security operations across the state.
Speaking at the event, Musa told soldiers and other security personnel that they must act decisively whenever they encounter terrorists or bandits.
“Once you are deployed, do not wait for any order from anybody to shoot any bandit or any terrorist,” he said.
He warned that security operatives who refuse to confront criminals under the excuse of waiting for instructions would face serious consequences.
“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 declared.
Musa described the security intervention by the Sokoto State Government as a clear demonstration of responsible leadership and commitment to protecting lives and property.
According to him, the procurement of the vehicles and other security assets reflects Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s determination to strengthen the state’s security architecture and support federal security agencies in their operations.
“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 Defence Minister, who described himself as a proud son of Sokoto State, commended the government, security agencies and residents for working together to maintain relative peace despite the security threats facing parts of the North-West.
He said Sokoto had remained one of the more peaceful states in the region because of the close cooperation among the government, security agencies and local communities.
Musa expressed confidence that the newly acquired vehicles, armoured personnel carriers and other tactical equipment would improve the ability of security personnel to respond quickly to attacks, gather intelligence and protect themselves during operations.
According to him, better mobility and modern equipment are essential in the fight against banditry, terrorism and kidnapping, which continue to threaten many communities across northern Nigeria.
The minister, however, cautioned security personnel against abusing or neglecting the newly acquired equipment.
He reminded them that the vehicles and gadgets were purchased with public funds and should be properly maintained.
“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 said.
He also warned officers and men against harassing or extorting members of the public while carrying out their duties.
According to him, security personnel are deployed to protect citizens and not to intimidate them.
“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,” Musa added.
The minister stressed that winning the war against insecurity requires the trust and cooperation of local communities, urging security agencies to build stronger relationships with residents.
Earlier, Governor Ahmed Aliyu said the commissioning of the operational vehicles and equipment formed part of his administration’s sustained investment in improving security across Sokoto State.
He disclosed that the state government procured 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 devices and other tactical equipment.
According to the governor, a total of 62 vehicles and all the listed equipment were purchased at a cost of ₦27.127 billion.
Aliyu said the investment was necessary because security remains one of the major responsibilities of government.
He noted that since assuming office, his administration has consistently supported the military and other security agencies with logistics, infrastructure and operational equipment.
The governor revealed that his administration had already spent more than ₦36 billion on various security interventions before the latest procurement.
These, he said, include the purchase of operational vehicles and motorcycles, construction and rehabilitation of military and police barracks, establishment of the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps and support for the Nigerian Air Force Base in the state.
According to him, these investments have strengthened the capacity of security agencies to respond to attacks and protect communities from criminal activities.
Aliyu also announced that his administration had forwarded a bill to the Sokoto State House of Assembly seeking tougher punishment for people who provide information or assistance to bandits.
Informants have long been identified by security agencies as one of the major challenges in the fight against banditry, as they often leak information about troop movements or help criminal groups identify potential targets.
The governor said once the bill is passed by lawmakers, he would immediately sign it into law.
“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.
He also disclosed that the state government had approved the establishment of a modern Command and Control Centre to improve surveillance, intelligence gathering and coordination of security operations across Sokoto.
According to him, the facility will enable security agencies to monitor activities more effectively and respond faster to security threats.
Aliyu appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information, stressing that government alone cannot defeat insecurity.
“Security is a collective responsibility and together we shall overcome every security challenge confronting our state,” he said.
Sokoto is among the states in Nigeria’s North-West that have experienced repeated attacks by armed bandits in recent years. The region has witnessed killings, kidnappings for ransom, cattle rustling and attacks on villages, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes.
Both the Federal Government and state governments have continued to invest heavily in military operations, intelligence gathering and security equipment to curb the activities of criminal groups.