Defence minister orders troops to shoot terrorists without waiting for orders

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has directed military personnel and other security operatives to take immediate action against terrorists and armed bandits, warning that officers who hesitate to engage criminals while waiting for directives from superior officers risk being treated as collaborators.

The minister issued the warning on Wednesday during the commissioning of 62 operational vehicles and security equipment worth ₦27.127 billion procured by the Sokoto State Government to strengthen security operations across the state.

Addressing troops and other security personnel at the event, Musa said every officer deployed to combat zones has a responsibility to protect lives and eliminate threats without unnecessary delays.

“Once you are deployed, do not wait for any order from anybody to shoot any bandit or any terrorist. 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,” the minister said.

The directive comes as Nigeria intensifies military operations against banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping in parts of the North-West, North-East and North-Central regions, where armed groups continue to attack communities, security personnel and critical infrastructure.

The minister said the Federal Government has continued to invest heavily in military hardware and operational logistics to ensure security agencies are adequately equipped to confront criminal groups.

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According to him, troops must make effective use of the newly acquired assets to improve mobility, intelligence gathering, surveillance and rapid response during security operations.

He noted that improved operational capability would significantly enhance efforts to dismantle terrorist hideouts, rescue kidnapped victims and restore peace to affected communities.

While urging security personnel to be decisive in the field, Musa also warned against misconduct, stressing that officers must respect the rights of law-abiding citizens while carrying out their duties.

He cautioned against extortion, harassment or intimidation of residents, reminding security personnel that they were deployed to protect communities and build public confidence.

“This equipment costs billions of naira. We don’t want to hand them over and then you throw them away or mishandle them. They must serve the purpose for which they were procured. You are not to go there and extort or harass the people. You are there to protect them and work with them to eliminate bandits and terrorists operating within your area,” he added.

The minister commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his administration’s continued investment in security, describing the procurement of operational vehicles and tactical equipment as a demonstration of responsible leadership and commitment to safeguarding lives and property.

He said Sokoto State has remained relatively stable because of the cooperation between the state government, security agencies and local communities, adding that sustained collaboration remains essential to defeating insecurity across the country.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Aliyu disclosed that the state government procured bulletproof vehicles, Buffalo Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), 320 motorcycles, 3,200 security gadgets, 2,000 bulletproof helmets and ballistic vests, 200 night-vision goggles, thermal imaging devices and other tactical equipment valued at ₦27.127 billion.

The governor said the latest investment forms part of broader efforts by his administration to strengthen security institutions and improve their operational effectiveness.

According to him, Sokoto State has spent more than ₦36 billion on security interventions since he assumed office, including the construction of military and police barracks, support for the Nigerian Air Force Base, procurement of operational vehicles and motorcycles, and the establishment of the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps.

Aliyu also revealed that a bill establishing a State Security Trust Fund is currently before the Sokoto State House of Assembly and would be signed into law immediately after its passage to ensure sustainable funding for security operations.

He further announced the approval of a Command and Control Centre, which will enhance surveillance, intelligence sharing and coordination among security agencies across the state.

The governor appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely intelligence, stressing that defeating banditry and terrorism requires collective action from both government and citizens.

The newly commissioned operational vehicles and equipment were subsequently distributed to the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and security personnel assigned to the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway project to strengthen ongoing operations across the state.

Although the minister’s remarks underscored the government’s determination to intensify the fight against insecurity, no changes to the military’s rules of engagement or operational procedures were announced during the event.

Defence minister orders troops to shoot terrorists without waiting for order

Teenage Girl Dies in Katsina After Parents Oppose Her Marriage Choice

A teenage girl, identified as Hauwa’u Sani, has reportedly died after allegedly consuming a poisonous substance in Yankara, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, following a disagreement with her parents who opposed her plan to marry a man of her choice. According to information from the community, the tragic incident was linked to a dispute with her parents over her marriage plans. A resident of the area, Fahad Danladi, confirmed the incident, stating that the teenager allegedly took the substance following the family disagreement. The exact circumstances surrounding the tragic event remain unclear, and the account could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident or confirm whether an investigation has been launched.

This tragic incident is not an isolated case in Katsina State, where disputes over marriage and domestic matters have frequently turned deadly. The Katsina State Police Command has previously handled several cases involving fatal confrontations arising from family disagreements. In May 2025, a domestic dispute between co-wives in Daura town escalated into a fatal confrontation, leading to the death of a 30-year-old woman, Zainab Lawal, who was stabbed multiple times during a scuffle. The suspect, a 23-year-old co-wife, confessed to the crime, stating that a misunderstanding with the deceased led to the tragic incident. The Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Bello Shehu, subsequently urged members of the public to shun all acts of domestic violence and to seek legal means for resolving disputes. In a more recent case, a 23-year-old housewife was arrested in June 2026 for allegedly attacking her husband with a knife while he slept, leaving him with a deep cut to the neck. The husband survived the attack, and the suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue.

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In December 2025, a 35-year-old man, Sahabi Rabi’u, was arrested for the murder of a nursing mother and her 10-month-old infant in Sheme village, also in Faskari Local Government Area. The killings, reportedly motivated by a paternity dispute, occurred when the victims were lured to the outskirts of the village, killed, burned, and dumped into a nearby well. The police described the act as “barbaric and inhumane”. These incidents highlight the critical need for community members and families to seek peaceful and lawful means of resolving disagreements, particularly those involving sensitive issues like marriage and family relationships. Authorities continue to call on the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands. Members of the public are urged to report suspicious activities and seek legal means for redress in cases of disputes, as vigilantism only perpetuates harm and undermines the rule of law.

Teenage Girl Dies in Katsina After Parents Oppose Her Marriage Choice

Nasarawa Police rescue one as gunmen abduct three FULafia students

The Nasarawa State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of three students of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) by suspected gunmen, with one of the victims successfully rescued during a swift security operation.

The incident occurred on Tuesday night at Living Seed Lodge, an off-campus student hostel located in a bushy area along Awe Road on the outskirts of Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

Confirming the incident in a statement on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ramhan Nansel, said the command received a distress report from the university’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) at about 9:20 p.m., informing the police that three students had been kidnapped by armed men.

According to the police spokesperson, the report was immediately relayed to the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, who directed the rapid deployment of tactical teams, patrol operatives, intelligence officers and other security personnel to the area.

Nansel said the security operatives swiftly mobilised and launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation across the surrounding forest and adjoining communities.

He disclosed that the operation led to the successful rescue of one of the abducted students shortly after the attack, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining two victims.

“The prompt response of the police led to the successful rescue of one of the abducted students. Efforts have since been intensified to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining two victims still in captivity and the arrest of the perpetrators,” the statement said.

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The command assured members of the public that all available operational and intelligence resources had been deployed to track down the kidnappers and ensure the remaining students regain their freedom unharmed.

The police also reaffirmed their commitment to bringing those responsible for the attack to justice.

SP Nansel urged residents of Nasarawa State to remain calm, vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information that could assist ongoing rescue operations.

He advised members of the public to promptly report suspicious movements, unusual activities or persons to the nearest police station or other security agencies for immediate action.

Although the identities of the affected students have not been made public, reports indicate that the gunmen invaded the off-campus hostel before whisking the victims away into a nearby forest, taking advantage of the isolated location of the students’ residence.

Security sources said search operations remain active in the forests and surrounding communities as operatives intensify efforts to rescue the remaining students without harm.

The latest kidnapping has renewed concerns over the security of students living in off-campus accommodation around tertiary institutions, particularly residences located in remote or poorly secured areas.

The incident is the latest in a series of attacks targeting educational institutions and student communities across parts of Nigeria, prompting renewed calls for stronger security collaboration among universities, host communities and law enforcement agencies.

While the Federal University of Lafia had yet to issue an official statement as of Wednesday evening, the police expressed confidence that ongoing operations would lead to the safe rescue of the remaining students and the arrest of those behind the attack.

Parents, students and residents have meanwhile appealed to security agencies to sustain the rescue efforts and strengthen surveillance around student hostels to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Nasarawa Police rescue one as gunmen abduct three FULafia students