The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered police officers across the country to shoot on sight anyone found carrying illegal firearms. This directive forms part of renewed efforts to tackle the growing insecurity in Nigeria.
Disu gave the order on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. He said the directive aligns with President Bola Tinubu‘s instruction to end the persistent insecurity in the state.
Era of passive policing is over, IG warns
The IG stressed that only authorised security personnel have the legal right to bear firearms. He warned that citizens cannot move around freely with weapons as if law and order do not exist.
“You cannot move around freely carrying arms as if there is no law and order in this country,” he said. “It will not be tolerated.”
He emphasised that the era of passive policing has ended. Furthermore, he insisted that decisive action is now necessary to restore public safety across the nation.
Force Order 237 empowers police officers
Disu disclosed that police officers have received empowerment under Force Order 237. Consequently, they can now respond decisively to armed threats without waiting for directives from superior officers.
“We have given them instructions,” he said. “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 expressed deep frustration over the loss of security personnel to armed criminals. He also lamented the deaths of police officers, soldiers, and other security agents.
“We are tired of losing our men,” he added. “We are tired of police officers, soldiers, and other members of the security agencies dying anyhow.”
IG calls for public cooperation
He called on residents to support security agencies with credible information. Moreover, he stressed that public cooperation remains critical to the fight against armed criminality.
Insecurity in Benue State
Benue State has witnessed repeated attacks by armed groups in recent months. These attacks have resulted in the loss of lives, displacement of residents, and destruction of property.
The federal government has continued to deploy additional security personnel. It has also adopted tougher measures aimed at restoring peace in the state. However, the IG insists that without public support, these efforts cannot succeed.
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