The Nigeria Police Force has released the full transcript of remarks made by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, during a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State, after widespread reports suggested he had issued a “shoot-on-sight” directive against individuals carrying illegal firearms.
The clarification followed media reports interpreting parts of his speech as authorising officers to shoot anyone found with weapons. The Force, however, explained that the IGP was referring to Force Order 237, which regulates the lawful use of firearms by police officers.
According to a video shared by the Nigeria Police Force, Disu told stakeholders that the security crisis in Benue had reached a point where repeated attacks and reprisals could no longer be tolerated.
“Everyone of you who have picked up a weapon, you have become a target. We are tired of this issue of attack and retaliation. When we attack, we expect retaliation. We are tired of it,” he said.
Delivering what he described as a message from President Bola Tinubu, the police chief warned that armed groups operating outside the law would no longer be tolerated.
“This will no longer be tolerated. This will not be tolerated.”
Disu stressed that only authorised security agencies are legally permitted to bear arms.
“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.”
He then referred to Force Order 237, explaining that police officers have already been trained on when they are legally permitted to use firearms.
“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.”
The IGP lamented the loss of security personnel across the country, saying officers had been instructed to take 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 appealed to community leaders and stakeholders to work with security agencies to restore peace in Benue.
“I do not want to leave this state today without bringing solution to the problem we have at hand,” he said, adding that he would continue visiting the state until peace is restored.
The clarification comes amid heightened security operations in Benue following recurring attacks that have left hundreds dead and displaced many communities.
