Defence Minister Musa orders troops to shoot terrorists on sight, act without waiting for directives
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has directed frontline troops to immediately engage and neutralise terrorists and other armed criminals without waiting for further orders.
Musa gave the directive while addressing soldiers, stressing that troops deployed to conflict zones already have the authority to defend themselves, their colleagues and the communities they are protecting whenever they come under threat.
According to him, soldiers should not hesitate when confronted by armed attackers, insisting that waiting for additional instructions in such situations could endanger lives.
The minister also disclosed plans to withdraw military personnel from routine checkpoints, saying the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps would take over checkpoint duties while soldiers concentrate on offensive operations against terrorists and bandits in forests and other conflict areas.
He said the move is aimed at improving security, restoring farming activities in affected communities and preventing criminals from exploiting gaps in military operations.
Musa further assured Nigerians that the Federal Government is strengthening military recruitment through more rigorous background checks to prevent infiltration and ensure only committed personnel are enlisted into the armed forces.
