The Nigeria Police Force has refuted claims that Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tunji Disu directed officers to shoot anyone seen carrying illegal firearms, describing the reports as inaccurate.
The clarification followed widespread reports suggesting the IGP issued a shoot-on-sight directive while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Force explained that Disu’s comments were about the implementation of Force Order 237, the operational guideline that outlines the lawful use of firearms by police officers.
According to the police, the IGP only reminded officers that they had already been trained on the provisions of the order and were expected to act within the law whenever circumstances required.
The statement, titled “Clarification: What the Inspector-General of Police Actually Said in Makurdi,” read in part:
“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 Force also emphasized that Disu condemned the illegal possession of firearms and ongoing violent attacks, urging Nigerians to watch the full video of his speech to understand the context of his remarks.
In the video, the IGP maintained that only duly authorized security personnel are permitted to carry firearms.
“You cannot move around freely carrying arms as if there is no law and order in this country. It will not be tolerated,” he said.
Disu further noted that officers had received adequate training on Force Order 237 and were empowered to take lawful action without waiting for clearance from senior officers where the rules permitted.
“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 said.
