The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has issued a decisive directive to all police officers across Nigeria to shoot on sight any individual found in possession of illegal firearms, as part of intensified efforts to combat insecurity and restore law and order.
IGP Disu made the announcement on Friday during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Makurdi, Benue State. The order aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to decisively address persistent insecurity, particularly in Benue and other affected areas.
“You cannot move around freely carrying arms as if there is no law and order in this country. It will not be tolerated,” the IGP declared. He emphasized that only authorized security personnel are permitted to bear arms and stressed that the era of passive policing is over.
Disu referenced Force Order 237, which empowers officers to respond immediately to armed threats without waiting for superior approval. “We have given them instructions... Police officers have been instructed that they don’t need to wait for any superior order. They know when to deploy their firearms,” he said.
The directive comes amid ongoing concerns over armed banditry, farmer-herder clashes, and other violent crimes that have claimed the lives of police officers, soldiers, and civilians. “We are tired of losing our men,” the IGP stated, while calling for enhanced community cooperation, intelligence sharing, and support from governors, traditional rulers, and residents.
A 14-day clearance operation has been launched in flashpoints within Benue State, backed by additional deployment of personnel and resources. The Nigeria Police Force urged the public to provide credible information to aid these operations while warning against the proliferation and illegal possession of firearms.
This tough stance underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, with a clear message that illegal arms will no longer be tolerated.