Banditry: Defence Minister orders troops to shoot on sight, inaugurates N2.7bn security vehicles in Sokoto

The Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, on Monday, inaugurated 62 armored vehicles and 300 motorcycles worth N2.7 billion donated to security agencies by the Sokoto State Government.

Mr Musa in his remarks at the inauguration in Sokoto, commended Governor Ahmad Aliyu on his commitments to tackling banditry and other security challenges in the state.

He described the vehicles and equipment as catalysts in the fight against security challenges in the state, adding that the effort would surely urgument that of the federal government.

He also commended the National Security Adviser,  Nuhu Ribadu, for facilitating the procurement of the armoured vehicles.

He however noted that, procurement of armoured vehicles does not guarantee security in the state as it required shared commitment and the participation of all

The minister also charged the security agencies who received the vehicles to maintain and handle them with utmost care as the government had spent billions of Naira to procure them.

He cautioned security agencies against waiting for order from anybody before shooting on-sight any terrorist terrorising the state.

“Once you are deployed to shoot-on-sight any bandit that may cause mayhem to the society, don’t wait for an order from anybody, this is a general order. We must crushed these bandits,” he said.

Earlier, the governor said that the vehicles along with other security equipment were provided at N2.7 billion and the effort was to enhance protection of citizens lives and properties in the state.

Mr Aliyu described security as the bedrock on which every meaningful development could be achieved.

He noted that insecurity had been a major challenge affecting the country especially the northern region, with Sokoto being one of the worse hit.

He revealed that his administration had previously supported security agencies with similar items worth N36 billion.

The governor said that his administration since assuming office had prioritised the security of lives and properties in the state.

According to him, since assuming office my administration has procured and donated over 200 vehicles, 280 motorcycles to the security agencies.

“I also increased the allowance of security agencies in flash points areas of the state and constructed a mobile barracks in Sabon Birni Area.

“We also established the Sokoto Security Guards and empowered them with 40 vehicles and 700 motorcycles.

“We also constructed and donated 25 houses in Konnawa Area to security agencies across the state.”

He thanked the heads of security agencies for supporting state’s government efforts in securing the state, stressing that security was shared responsibility.

The governor revealed that he had forwarded a bill to the state House of Assembly to declare bandits’ informants as bandits, adding that once the bill was passed by the lawmakers, he would assent to it.

He further said that his administration had donated 10 hilux vehicles to the Ministry of Works to support the ongoing construction of Sokoto-Badagry highway.

NAN