Defence Minister To Troops: Shoot Terrorists On Sight

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has ordered troops of Operations Hadin Kai to shoot any terrorists on sight in Borno and the northeast general area of operations.

The Minister, who was on his first official visit to Borno since his appointment, stated this while addressing troops alongside the Minister of State Defence, Bello Matawalle, on Tuesday at the 212 Battalion parade ground, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.

He said, gone are the days when soldiers complain of waiting for orders before eliminating any terrorists on sight.

“We are proud of every one of you. We will support you with your operations. Nigerians are praying for you.

“The president has increased your salaries, and this is to show you the commitment of the President to your welfare,” General Musa said.

He informed them that the president has released a large sum of money for the purchase of equipment, Aircraft, ammunition, drones, and other enablers to bring this fight to an end.

“You have been given an express order to shoot any terrorists on sight. Don’t indulge in illicit acts, don’t engage in drugs. Your duty is to kill Boko Haram,” the Minister further said.

Speaking earlier during his courtesy call on the Borno State deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur, General Musa said the visit was to sympathise with the people of the state following the recent triple bomb blasts carried out by the Boko Haram terrorists in three locations in Maiduguri.

He added that the visit also aimed to convey the Federal Government’s condolences and to assess the security situation in the state.

He condemned the triple suicide bomb attacks and other attacks recently recorded in the State, stressing that such acts of violence do not represent any religion or legitimate cause.

At the Shehu of Borno’s palace, the Minister said,” We are here to see the good people of Borno State, where these unfortunate incidents occurred.

‘The President has directed me and the Minister of State for Defence to commiserate with you,’ the minister told the Shehu of Borno, His Royal Highness Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El – Kanemi.

He assured residents that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his cabinet were deeply concerned about the attacks and were committed to preventing a recurrence.

‘I want to assure the people of the state and the entire North-East that such occurrences would not happen again.

‘We are here to review what has happened and assess what can be done differently,’ the minister added.

On his part, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Matawalle, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ending insecurity across the country.

‘I want to assure you, Your Royal Highness, that you will see changes within a month,’ he said, expressing optimism about ongoing military efforts. End