The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has directed police officers across the country to shoot on sight anyone found carrying firearms illegally, as part of renewed efforts to confront armed criminality and curb the country’s worsening security challenges.
Disu issued the directive on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Makurdi, Benue State, where he disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies to bring the prolonged killings and attacks in the state to an end.
The police chief warned that only duly authorised security personnel are permitted by law to carry firearms, stressing that the Nigeria Police Force would no longer tolerate individuals moving around communities with weapons without lawful authority.
“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 said.
Disu said police officers had been briefed on their responsibilities under Force Order 237, which governs the use of firearms by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to him, officers confronted by armed threats would not be required to wait for further instructions from superior officers before responding appropriately.
“We have given them instructions. We have a Force Order 237. Police officers have been instructed that they don’t need to wait for any superior order. They know where to deploy their firearms,” he said.
The IGP explained that the tougher position became necessary following the growing number of police officers, soldiers and other security personnel killed by armed groups while carrying out their duties.
“We are tired of losing our men. We are tired of police officers, soldiers and other members of the security agencies dying anyhow,” Disu stated.
Reaffirming the directive, he said officers had been trained to determine when the use of firearms was necessary while confronting armed suspects.
“They have been instructed to shoot at sight. They have been trained to do what is necessary. But we will not succeed without the cooperation of all of you,” he said.
The IGP consequently appealed to residents, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to provide security agencies with timely and credible intelligence about the movement and activities of armed groups.
He stressed that security personnel could not effectively identify criminal hideouts, recover illegal weapons or prevent attacks without the support of people living within affected communities.
Although Disu cited Force Order 237, the order regulates the circumstances under which police officers may discharge firearms and states that firearms should be used as a last resort. The use of lethal force remains subject to legal limits, operational procedures and investigation where death or injury occurs.
Benue State has suffered repeated attacks by armed groups in recent months, resulting in the deaths of scores of residents, the displacement of thousands of people and the destruction of homes, farms and other property.
The Federal Government has responded by deploying additional security personnel and strengthening operations intended to restore peace, protect vulnerable communities and prevent further attacks across the state.
Disu’s directive represents one of the toughest public instructions issued by the police leadership against the proliferation of illegal firearms and armed criminal groups operating across the country.
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