The Nigeria Police Force has clarified that the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, did not issue a blanket “shoot-on-sight” order during a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State, contrary to reports in some sections of the media.
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In a statement issued to correct what it described as a misrepresentation of the IGP’s remarks, the Force said Disu only reiterated the provisions of Force Order 237, which governs the legal and operational conditions under which police officers may use firearms.
The clarification followed reports that the IGP had directed police officers to shoot on sight anyone found in possession of illegal firearms as part of renewed efforts to address insecurity, particularly in Benue State.
Disu had spoken on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Makurdi, where he said the persistent insecurity in Benue must be brought to an end in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive.
The police chief warned that only authorised security personnel are legally permitted to bear firearms and said the unlawful possession of weapons and acts of violence, including unlawful killings, would not be tolerated.
“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.
He also stated that officers had been briefed on Force Order 237 and understood the circumstances under which firearms could be deployed.
“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,” Disu said.
The IGP added that security agencies were tired of losing personnel to armed criminals, saying police officers, soldiers and other security operatives had continued to die in the line of duty.
“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,” he said.
However, the Force said the remarks were taken out of context and were not intended to authorise indiscriminate use of force by police personnel.
According to the clarification, the IGP’s comments were meant to emphasise professionalism, operational readiness and strict compliance with existing Rules of Engagement in responding to armed threats.
The Force said officers are expected to act within the law and in line with approved procedures guiding the use of firearms.
It urged members of the public and the media to disregard reports suggesting that Disu issued an order for officers to shoot suspects on sight, describing such claims as inaccurate.
The Force also encouraged the public to watch the full video of the IGP’s remarks to understand the context of his statement and help prevent the spread of misinformation.
Disu urged residents of Benue State to support security agencies with credible and timely intelligence, stressing that community cooperation remained vital in the fight against armed criminality.
Benue has witnessed repeated attacks by armed groups in recent months, leading to killings, displacement of residents and destruction of property.
The Federal Government has continued to deploy additional security personnel and adopt tougher measures aimed at restoring peace in the state.
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