Nigerian Police Authorities Deny IGP Disu Ordered ‘Sh0ot-On-Sight’ For Illegal F!rearm Bearers
Nigerian Police Authorities Deny IGP Disu Ordered ‘Shoot-On-Sight’ For Illegal Firearm Bearers
The Force added that the Inspector-General also made it clear that illegal possession of arms and violent killings would not be tolerated across the country.
The Nigeria Police Force has denied widespread reports claiming that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, ordered officers to “shoot on sight” anyone found carrying illegal firearms, insisting that the police chief never issued such a directive during a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State.
In a clarification issued through a statement on Saturday, the Force said the Inspector-General’s remarks had been misrepresented, stressing that he merely reiterated existing rules governing the lawful use of firearms by police personnel.
According to the statement titled, “CLARIFICATION: WHAT THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE ACTUALLY SAID IN MAKURDI,” the Force stated, “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 police explained that what the IGP actually told officers was that they had been adequately briefed on Force Order 237, the regulation that governs the legal and operational conditions under which police officers may use firearms while carrying out their duties.
“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,” the statement said.
The Force added that the Inspector-General also made it clear that illegal possession of arms and violent killings would not be tolerated across the country.
“He further stressed that illegal arms possession and killings would not be tolerated,” the statement added.
The clarification followed reports that circulated on Friday claiming that Disu had directed police officers nationwide to immediately shoot anyone found carrying illegal firearms.
According to reports, the alleged directive was part of renewed efforts by the Federal Government to tackle the country’s worsening security situation, particularly in Benue State, where repeated attacks by armed groups have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people, displacement of communities and widespread destruction of property.
The reports further claimed that the Inspector-General announced the order during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
It was also reported that the purported directive followed President Bola Tinubu’s instruction that the persistent insecurity and killings in Benue State must be brought to an end.
However, with its latest clarification, the Nigeria Police Force maintained that the Inspector-General did not issue any blanket “shoot-on-sight” order. Instead, the Force said his comments were limited to reminding officers of the provisions of Force Order 237 and the Rules of Engagement, which prescribe the legal circumstances under which firearms may be deployed while performing police duties.
The police stated that the Force remains committed to carrying out its constitutional responsibilities within the bounds of the law.
