By Tekena Amieyeofori
The Nigeria Police Force has clarified comments made by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, regarding officers’ use of firearms. The Force stated that the IG did not give a “shoot-on-sight” directive targeting people with illegal weapons.
On Friday, several media platforms reported that during a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State, Disu had ordered officers to shoot anyone found with illegal firearms on sight.
In a statement released on Saturday, the police explained that the IG was only referring to Force Order 237, which sets out the legal and operational guidelines for when police personnel can use firearms.
The statement, titled “Clarification: What the Inspector-General of Police Actually Said in Makurdi,” was released alongside video footage of Disu’s address 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 statement read.
In the video, Disu partly 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.”