Don't wait for orders before shooting terrorists, Defence Minister tells soldiers

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has warned security personnel deployed to fight terrorism and banditry against hesitating to engage terrorists, saying any officer who waits for an order before taking action would be treated as a terrorist.

Speaking on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at the commissioning of 62 armoured vehicles and over 300 motorcycles procured by the Sokoto State Government for security agencies, Musa said troops must act decisively against criminal elements within the rules of engagement.

"Anybody who refuses to shoot a terrorist in the name of waiting for an order, we will treat him like a bandit,” he said.

The minister also cautioned security personnel against harassing or extorting members of the public, stressing that they were deployed to protect law-abiding citizens and not to intimidate them.

He urged them to demonstrate professionalism, discipline and accountability while carrying out their duties.

Musa described the procurement of the security assets as a major boost to the state’s security architecture, saying the vehicles and motorcycles would enhance the mobility and operational effectiveness of security agencies in responding to banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

He noted that the country’s security challenges were constantly evolving, with terrorists and other criminal elements changing tactics and exploiting difficult terrain.

Musa added that the response of security agencies must equally evolve through better mobility, intelligence-led operations and effective coordination.