Defence Minister Christopher Musa told troops on Wednesday not to wait for orders before acting against criminals. “Once you are deployed, do not wait for any order from anybody to shoot any bandit or any terrorist,” the minister declared at the commissioning of 62 operational vehicles and security kit bought by the Sokoto government. The equipment is worth N27.1 billion.
“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,” he warned, not exactly tiptoeing around the issue.
Musa praised Governor Ahmed Aliyu for backing security agencies. “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. He said Sokoto remains one of the country’s more peaceful states because of teamwork between government, security agencies and residents.
The new armoured vehicles and tactical kit, Musa said, will boost mobility, intelligence gathering and force protection against banditry, terrorism and kidnapping. He also cautioned against careless use. “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. “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 added.
Aliyu said the move is part of ongoing security investment, listing bulletproof vehicles, Buffalo APCs, 320 motorcycles, 3,200 security gadgets, 2,000 bulletproof helmets and vests, 200 night-vision goggles, thermal devices and more. “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,” the governor said.
He said the state has already spent more than ₦36 billion on security work, the bill is before the State House of Assembly, and “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. A command-and-control centre was approved to improve surveillance, and residents were urged to keep giving credible intelligence. “Security is a collective responsibility, and together we shall overcome every security challenge confronting our state,” he said.
