Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has told frontline soldiers in the North-East to shoot terrorists on sight no waiting, no delays.
Musa gave the instruction on Tuesday while addressing troops at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, Borno State. He was alongside the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
"You don't have to wait for any order from anybody. To find them out is your duty wherever you are deployed. You take them down," Musa told the soldiers. "So, I don't want to hear about somebody saying he was waiting for any order".
The visit came after a fresh wave of Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks on communities in Borno. Security sources say the renewed assaults prompted the Defence Headquarters to review its approach in the region.
Musa was blunt with the troops. He said any soldier who claims to be waiting for authorization while under fire is not telling the truth.
"Somebody's aiming to shoot at you, you're waiting for orders, from who? If any member of the armed forces deployed anywhere tells you that he's waiting for an order, he is lying and he's only a coward," he warned.
He reminded them that deployment itself is authority. "You are to engage any criminal or any bandit that is armed and about to kill you. You don't have to wait. Once you are deployed, you automatically have that responsibility".
The minister praised the sacrifices of troops, many of whom have lost colleagues in recent operations. "The President and all Nigerians appreciate your resilience. Stay disciplined, focused, and committed," he said.
Musa also announced new support coming from the Federal Government. He said President Bola Tinubu has approved the procurement of new aircraft and drones to boost operations in the North-East.
He added that improved welfare is on the way. Salary increments for military personnel will be implemented in the next three months, with three months arrears to be paid immediately after.
Beyond the battlefield order, Musa hinted at a big shift in deployment. He plans to withdraw soldiers from routine checkpoints and send them into active conflict zones, while police and NSCDC take over checkpoint duties.
During the two-day tour, Musa and Matawalle paid tribute to fallen heroes at the Maimalari Cantonment Cemetery, alongside the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj. Gen. Abubakar Abdulsalam.
They also visited the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, assuring him that the Federal Government "would not rest until total peace was restored".
At the Government House, Deputy Governor Dr. Usman Kadafur described the visit as proof that Abuja is serious about overhauling security strategy in the region.
For soldiers on the frontline, the message from Abuja is now clear — see terrorists, engage immediately, and don't wait for a phone call.
Musa summed it up: "Our business here is to go and look for Boko Haram and kill them. Is that clear?"
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