By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has commended the Minister of Defence’s directive authorising troops engaged in counter-terrorism operations to shoot terrorists on sight but warned that the order would achieve little unless it is formally transmitted through the military chain of command to soldiers on the frontlines.

The position was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by HURIWA and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, who described the minister’s pronouncement as a bold step in the fight against terrorism while urging the military high command to immediately communicate the directive to all operational formations across the country.

HURIWA said the directive demonstrated the Federal Government’s determination to confront terrorism, insurgency and violent extremism, but stressed that military operations are governed by discipline and hierarchy rather than media reports.

“We consider this directive a timely demonstration of the Federal Government’s determination to confront the growing menace of terrorism, insurgency and violent extremism that have continued to claim the lives of innocent Nigerians and threaten the unity and stability of our nation,” Onwubiko said.

The group argued that soldiers operating in conflict zones do not act on newspaper publications or television interviews but on lawful operational orders issued through their commanders.

“Every trained soldier understands and operates by the doctrine of ‘Obey the Last Command.’ Frontline troops do not act on newspaper publications, television interviews or media reports. They execute lawful operational directives issued through their commanders,” **the statement said.

HURIWA therefore called on the Minister of Defence to direct the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, Theatre Commanders, General Officers Commanding and Brigade Commanders to formally communicate the order to all troops involved in counter-terrorism operations.

The rights group noted that many soldiers serving in operational theatres across Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and other conflict areas neither have access to newspapers nor the opportunity to monitor television broadcasts, making formal military communication indispensable.

It also recommended that the directive be incorporated into operational briefings and field instructions to eliminate uncertainty over the rules of engagement and strengthen the confidence of troops confronting terrorists.

HURIWA recalled that a previous directive by the Defence Minister ordering the withdrawal of military personnel from roadblocks across the country had yet to be fully implemented, citing the continued presence of military checkpoints in several parts of the country, particularly in the South-East.

“This clearly demonstrates that policy pronouncements alone do not automatically translate into operational compliance unless they are deliberately conveyed through the military hierarchy and implementation is monitored by commanders at every level,” Onwubiko stated.

The organisation urged the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs to ensure that the latest directive becomes an immediate operational order across all formations involved in counter-terrorism operations.

It further called on the Federal Government to continue providing troops with modern equipment, quality intelligence, improved welfare and clear operational guidance to strengthen the ongoing campaign against terrorism.

“We therefore urge the Defence Minister to ensure that this commendable directive does not remain a mere media headline but becomes a binding operational order communicated through the appropriate military channels to every soldier serving on the frontlines,” the statement added.