The Nigeria Police Force has clarified comments made by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on the use of firearms, stating that he did not order officers to shoot anyone found carrying illegal weapons on sight.
Several media reports on Friday claimed that Disu had issued a “shoot-on-sight” directive against individuals carrying illegal firearms after speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State.
However, in a clarification issued on Saturday, the Force said the IGP was referring to Force Order 237, which sets out the legal and operational guidelines governing the use of firearms by police officers.
The clarification, titled “Clarification: What the Inspector-General of Police Actually Said in Makurdi,” was released alongside a video of Disu’s remarks at the meeting.
“At a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State, Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, did not issue any ‘shoot-on-sight’ order as widely misreported,” the Force said.
“What he actually said was that officers have been briefed on Force Order 237, which governs the legal and operational conditions for firearm use, and that they know when it is appropriate to deploy their weapons in line with established Rules of Engagement.
“He further stressed that illegal arms possession and killings would not be tolerated. The public is encouraged to view the attached video of the Inspector-General’s actual remarks for the full context,” the Force added.
In the video, Disu said, “We have given instructions to our men. We are the only ones recognized to carry arms around. No other person is entitled to do that.
“You cannot move around freely carrying arms as if there is no law and order in this country. It will not be tolerated. We have given them necessary instructions.
“We have Force Order 237. Police officers have been told they don’t need to wait for any superior order. They know where to deploy their firearms.”
He added, “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.”
An independent check by PUNCH Online on policinglaw.info also showed that Force Order 237 contains regulations governing the use of force and firearms by the Nigeria Police Force. The regulations outline circumstances in which officers may legally deploy firearms, including self-defence, preventing the escape of felony suspects and responding to immediate armed threats.