Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has announced a nationwide directive authorising officers to open fire on individuals found in possession of illegal firearms.
The order was issued on Friday during a stakeholders’ security meeting held at the Government House in Makurdi, Benue State.
Speaking at the meeting, the IGP said President Bola Tinubu had instructed security agencies to restore peace in Benue and tackle the state’s worsening security challenges. He stressed that only authorised security personnel have the legal right to carry firearms.
Disu said the police would no longer adopt a passive approach in confronting armed criminals.
“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 instructions. We have a force order 237. Police officers have been instructed that they don’t need to wait for any superior order. They know where to deploy their firearms.
“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. They have been trained to do what is necessary. But we will not succeed without the cooperation of all of you,” Disu said.
