The newly appointed Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has issued a bold directive for troops in conflict zones to engage armed bandits immediately, without waiting for further orders.
Speaking during his ministerial screening at the Senate on Wednesday, Musa said hesitation in life-threatening situations is unacceptable and endangers communities, fellow troops, and national security.
He told lawmakers that soldiers deployed to volatile areas already have the mandate to neutralize armed threats, warning that anyone “waiting for orders” is acting contrary to military doctrine.
“Once you are deployed, you automatically have the responsibility to engage any criminal or bandit who is armed and poses a threat. There is nothing like waiting for an order,” he said.
In a significant operational shift, the minister revealed that soldiers will withdraw from routine checkpoints nationwide.
The Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) will assume responsibility for highways and checkpoint duties.
Musa explained that this move will allow the military to focus on hunting bandits and insurgents in remote forests and rural areas.
He emphasized the importance of reopening farmlands for agricultural activities, linking the operation directly to national food security.
The minister expressed concern over escalating attacks on farming communities, stressing the need for renewed coordination between security agencies and local populations.
He also highlighted challenges in military recruitment, noting that some recruits resist deployment to conflict zones while others attempt to undermine operations.
To address these gaps, Musa said the ministry is expanding background checks and using database-driven vetting to prevent infiltration by saboteurs.
The Defence Minister announced plans to engage retired officers with decades of experience to support ongoing operations, citing their expertise as invaluable.
He attributed the persistence of terrorism and banditry to years of weak coordination, poor community partnerships, and structural gaps within the security architecture.
Musa assured lawmakers that his ministry would prioritize closing these gaps to restore public confidence and improve operational effectiveness.
The minister’s directives mark a decisive shift in Nigeria’s security strategy: immediate engagement of armed threats, redeployment to conflict zones, and stronger collaboration with police and civil defence to safeguard communities and farmlands.
