Minister of Defense, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has issued a firm and uncompromising directive to Nigerian frontline troops, insisting that soldiers must immediately engage armed bandits on sight, without waiting for further instructions from superiors. This order comes amid a surge in violent attacks by criminal gangs and bandits across several regions of the country, which have endangered civilians and undermined public confidence in security agencies.
Speaking during his Senate screening on Wednesday, Musa highlighted the critical importance of rapid action in combat zones. He explained that delays in decision-making have previously resulted in unnecessary casualties and loss of lives, emphasizing that soldiers already possess the authority to neutralize armed criminals once deployed in the field. “You are to engage any criminal or bandit that is armed and about to harm you. You don’t have to wait. Once you are deployed, you automatically have that responsibility,” he said, making it clear that hesitation is unacceptable on the battlefield.
He further stressed that no soldier should ever claim they are waiting for authorization when confronted with immediate danger. Musa added, “Somebody is aiming at you, and you are waiting for orders? From who? If any member of the armed forces deployed anywhere tells you he’s waiting for an order, he is lying, and he’s only a coward.” His remarks underline a zero-tolerance approach to hesitation and cowardice in active engagements with criminals and bandits.
In addition to this new operational directive, Musa outlined plans to restructure troop deployment across the country. Routine checkpoint duties will now be handled primarily by the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, freeing soldiers to be redeployed to hotspots and active conflict zones. The minister underscored the urgency for military personnel to push deep into forested areas where bandit groups often hide and launch attacks, assuring that this strategic repositioning is aimed at ensuring that farmers and residents can safely return to their homes and farmlands without fear of violence.
Commenting on the root causes of the recent uptick in killings, Musa attributed much of the violence to “evil people on drugs” who exploit gaps in security coordination to commit heinous crimes. He called on all security agencies to work together cohesively and warned that the country can no longer afford fragmented responses to banditry and armed criminality.
Reflecting on the broader responsibilities of his role as Minister of Defense, Musa concluded with a personal commitment to the safety of all Nigerians. “No Nigerian must be killed for whatever reason. I know that I cannot afford to fail my nation, fail myself, or fail my family,” he said, reinforcing his resolve to ensure a decisive and proactive military response against armed criminals and bandit groups across Nigeria.