“Shoot on sight, don’t wait for orders” – Defense Minister, Gen. Musa tells troops amid rising bandit attacks

Minister of Defense, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has issued one of the strongest directives to frontline troops, declaring that soldiers must engage armed bandits on sight without waiting for further orders.

During his Senate screening on Wednesday, Musa said the directive is necessary to protect troops in active combat zones and to restore public confidence in the nation’s security response.

Responding to questions about delays in battlefield decisions, he explained that soldiers already have the authority to neutralise armed criminals once deployed.

“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.

He emphasised that no soldier should claim to be waiting for authorisation when facing danger. He added,

“Somebody is aiming to shoot 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,” he added.

Musa also announced plans to withdraw soldiers from routine checkpoints. He explained that troops will be redeployed to active conflict zones while the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps take over checkpoint operations.

He stressed the need for troops to push deep into the forests and “take out these criminals,” adding that farmers must be able to safely return to their farmlands.

Commenting on the rising killings across several regions, Musa attributed the violence to “evil people on drugs” who exploit lapses in security coordination.

He concluded by reflecting on the responsibilities of his new role, saying:

“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 concluded.”