The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has directed security personnel to immediately engage and neutralize bandits and terrorists upon deployment, warning that any operative who delays action while waiting for authorization would be regarded as an accomplice.

Speaking on Wednesday in Sokoto State during the commissioning of 62 operational vehicles and other security equipment valued at ₦27.1 billion, Musa said troops should not hesitate to confront criminal elements once deployed.

He declared that no soldier should wait for further instructions before taking action against bandits or terrorists, stressing that anyone who refuses to act under the guise of awaiting orders would be treated as a bandit.

The Defence Minister also urged security personnel to properly maintain the newly acquired equipment, noting that the investment was made to strengthen security operations across the state.

According to him, the equipment, which cost billions of naira, represents a major commitment by the government and must be handled responsibly. He added that an assessment would be conducted after one year to evaluate how well the equipment had been maintained.