Defence Minister Christopher Musa (retd.) has ordered Nigerian troops to take immediate and lethal action against Boko Haram insurgents, instructing soldiers to kill any members they encounter without waiting for orders. Speaking in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Tuesday, Musa declared, "Look for Boko Haram and kill them. Is that clear? You don't have to wait for anybody." He made the statement alongside the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, during a morale-boosting visit to frontline troops. The minister dismissed hesitation or delays in response, stating that the era of passivity in military operations was over. "I don't want to hear anyone saying they were waiting for instructions," he said. Musa assured soldiers of full backing from the federal government, including improved equipment, intelligence, and logistical support. His directive comes amid intensified military campaigns in the North-East, where security forces are working to dismantle entrenched insurgent networks and reclaim territories. The military has recently launched coordinated air and ground offensives in Sambisa Forest and other known hideouts. No specific operations or outcomes resulting directly from the new directive were disclosed.
When Musa tells troops to "look for Boko Haram and kill them," he is authorizing a shift from reactive to proactive warfare, which could blur the lines between combat and extrajudicial action. This level of operational autonomy, while potentially effective in weakening the insurgency, raises concerns about accountability and civilian safety in conflict zones. If soldiers act without orders or oversight, the risk of abuse increases, even as the pressure to deliver results intensifies. The real test will be whether this aggressive stance brings lasting security or deepens the cycle of violence.
