Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd.), on Tuesday ordered troops on the frontline to adopt a shoot-on-sight approach against terrorists, stressing that soldiers should no longer wait for further authorization before engaging enemies.
Musa gave the directive while addressing troops alongside the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, during a visit to Maiduguri, Borno State. The visit followed a fresh wave of deadly attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) across communities in the North-East.
The minister emphasised that troops already have the mandate to neutralise threats immediately:
“You don’t have to wait for any order… wherever you are deployed, you take them down.”
The directive comes amid renewed insurgent offensives in Borno and surrounding areas, including attacks on military formations and civilian communities.
• Recent assaults reportedly led to the death of senior officers and multiple soldiers, with civilians abducted in some incidents.
• Suicide bombings and coordinated attacks have continued to highlight the persistent threat in Maiduguri and the wider North-East, despite years of military operations.
• Authorities say the insurgency, ongoing for over a decade, has caused mass displacement and thousands of deaths.
In response, Musa recently convened an emergency meeting with service chiefs to reassess military strategy and strengthen operational effectiveness.
The Defence Minister revealed that the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, has approved:
• Procurement of new aircraft and advanced drones
• Deployment of revised combat strategies
• Increased intelligence coordination and international cooperation
These measures are aimed at improving surveillance, rapid response, and precision strikes against insurgents.
He added that recent operations have already yielded results, including:
• Neutralisation of key terrorist commanders
• Recovery of territories and hostile assets
Musa reiterated that Nigeria’s security forces are shifting toward a more aggressive posture, not only against fighters but also against those aiding them.
He warned that:
• Anyone providing logistics, funding, or intelligence to terrorists would be treated as an accomplice
• The government is intensifying efforts to dismantle support networks behind insurgency
While acknowledging battlefield casualties, the minister praised troops for their sacrifices and resilience:
“We have more victories than defeats… Nigerians should be proud of the armed forces.”
To boost morale, he announced:
• Salary increases for military personnel within three months
• Immediate payment of three months’ salary arrears
• Continued investment in housing and welfare, including newly commissioned units in Maiduguri
Musa urged Nigerians to:
• Support the military and avoid spreading misinformation
• Recognise the sacrifices of soldiers
• Report suspicious activities to security agencies
He stressed that defeating insurgency is a collective national responsibility, not just a military task.
During the visit, the ministers also met with Borno State Deputy Governor, Dr. Usman Kadafur, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring peace.
Kadafur described the visit as a strong signal of Abuja’s readiness to overhaul security strategies in the region.
The latest directive reflects a hardening of Nigeria’s counterterrorism approach, driven by:
• Persistent attacks despite years of operations
• Growing pressure on the military to deliver results
• Ongoing strategic reviews at the highest levels of government
Officials maintain that, despite recent losses, terrorist groups are suffering heavier casualties, and the military remains confident of eventual victory.
