The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed police officers nationwide to shoot on sight anyone found carrying illegal firearms as part of intensified efforts to tackle insecurity.
Disu gave the directive on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Makurdi, Benue State, saying the decision followed President Bola Tinubu’s instruction that the persistent security challenges in the state must be brought to an end.
The police chief stressed that only authorised security personnel are legally permitted to carry firearms, warning that unlawful possession of weapons would no longer be tolerated.
“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.
Disu explained that the directive is in line with Force Order 237, which authorises police officers to respond immediately to armed threats without seeking prior approval from superior officers.
“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.
According to the IGP, the decision was prompted by the growing number of security personnel killed 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,” the IGP said.
Reaffirming the directive, Disu added: “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 called on residents to support security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence, describing community cooperation as essential to combating armed criminality.
Benue State has experienced repeated attacks by armed groups in recent months, resulting in numerous deaths, the displacement of thousands of residents and widespread destruction of property.
The Federal Government has continued to reinforce security operations in the state by deploying additional personnel and adopting tougher measures aimed at restoring peace and preventing further attacks.
