The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed reports claiming Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tunji Disu ordered officers to shoot anyone found carrying illegal firearms on sight, saying his remarks were taken out of context
The clarification came after media reports alleged that the IGP issued a nationwide shoot-on-sight directive during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi.
In a statement released on Saturday, titled “Clarification: What the Inspector-General of Police Actually Said in Makurdi,” the Force explained that Disu was referring to the provisions of Force Order 237, which regulates when police officers are legally allowed to use firearms.
According to the statement, the IGP merely reminded officers that they had been trained on the guidelines of Force Order 237 and understood the circumstances under which they could lawfully use their weapons.
“At a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State, Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, did not issue any ‘shoot-on-sight’ order as widely misreported,” the statement read.
The police further noted that the IGP warned against the illegal possession of firearms and condemned the rising cases of k!llings, urging the public to watch the full video of his speech for proper context.
In the video, Disu stressed that only authorized security personnel are permitted to carry firearms.
“You cannot move around freely carrying arms as if there is no law and order in this country. It will not be tolerated,” he said.
He also stated that officers had been adequately trained on Force Order 237 and did not require approval from superior officers before taking lawful action where necessary.
“We are tired of losing our men. We are tired of police officers, soldiers and other members of security agencies dying anyhow. They have been instructed, they have been trained to do what is necessary,” he said.
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