Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed officers across the country to shoot on sight anyone found carrying illegal firearms.
Mr. Disu announced the directive on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, describing it as part of stepped-up measures to tackle widespread insecurity.
He stated that the order aligns with directives from President Bola Tinubu to end recurring violence in Benue State, emphasizing that only authorized security personnel are legally permitted to bear arms.
Highlighting internal operational rules, Mr. Disu said officers have been empowered under Force Order 237 to react to armed threats immediately without waiting for commands from superiors.
“You cannot move around freely carrying arms as if there is no law and order in this country. It will not be tolerated,” Disu said.
“Police officers have been instructed that they don’t need to wait for any superior order… We are tired of losing our men. We are tired of police officers, soldiers, and other members of the security agencies dying anyhow. They have been instructed to shoot at sight.”
Calling for public support, the police chief urged residents to provide credible intelligence to help security agencies restore order.
Benue State has faced persistent attacks by armed groups in recent months, leading to numerous casualties, mass displacement, and property destruction despite ongoing security deployments.
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