Just in: Defence Minister orders soldiers to shoot bandits on sight without waiting for approval

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has given a shoot-on-sight order to security personnel in Sokoto State. While commissioning 62 operational vehicles and security equipment worth N27.1 billion yesterday, he told troops they must not wait for any order before neutralizing bandits or terrorists.

“Once you are deployed do not wait for any order from anybody to shoot any bandit or any terrorist. I want to make that very loud and clear – anybody who refuses to shoot or kill any bandit or terrorist in the name of waiting for an order, we will treat you like a bandit,” Musa said. He also warned that operatives who hesitate will be treated as terrorists themselves.

This is a controversial directive that raises serious questions about due process and the risk of innocent civilians being caught in the crossfire. Can soldiers really be trusted to decide on the spot who is a threat without any oversight?